Biography

Boston-based soprano duo Les Sirènes takes audiences on an exploration of the soprano voice and the Baroque repertory, offering appealing programs that engage our listeners with both fiery virtuosity and anguishing beauty. Formed in 2009, Les Sirènes is composed of acclaimed sopranos Kathryn Mueller and Kristen Watson, joined by harpsichordist Michael Sponseller and baroque cellist Cora Swenson. As soloists, they have performed with such groups as the American Bach Soloists, Handel and Haydn Society, Boston Baroque, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Mark Morris Dance Group, Washington Bach Consort, Bach Collegium San Diego, and the Carmel Bach Festival.

As Les Sirènes, they bring a collective experience to interpreting this rare and remarkable repertoire, charming audiences with diverse programming and inspired performances.

Artist Biographies

Soprano Kathryn Mueller delights audiences in both concert and operatic performances. Praised for her “pure sound” and “glorious high notes,” (Atlanta Journal Constitution, Arizona Daily Star) she has appeared as a soloist with the Washington Bach Consort, Santa Fe Pro Musica, Phoenix Symphony, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, New Trinity Baroque, and Tucson Chamber Artists, and in operatic roles with Arizona Opera and the Seattle Academy of Baroque Opera. She made her Asian debut during a musical Peace Tour across Indonesia with the Swara Sonora Trio. An accomplished ensemble singer as well, Kathryn has sung with Seraphic Fire, the Handel and Haydn Society, the Oregon Bach Festival Chorus, and the Santa Fe Desert Chorale. She holds music degrees from Brown University and The University of Arizona. Kathryn is featured as a soloist on recordings by Seraphic Fire, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale and Tucson Chamber Artists. Visit Kathryn's website at www.kathrynmueller.com.

Soprano Kristen Watson, hailed by critics for her “blithe and silvery” tone and “winning stage presence”, has made solo debuts with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra of New York City, the Mark Morris Dance Group, Boston Baroque, the Handel & Haydn Society and Emmanuel Music, at such venues as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Boston’s Symphony Hall. Opera audiences have heard Kristen in productions with Boston Lyric Opera, Opera New England, the Boston University Opera Institute, and Opera Boston, with whom she performed in Osvaldo Golijov’s acclaimed new opera Ainadamar (Voice of the Fountain), directed by Peter Sellars. A versatile crossover artist, she has also been featured as the soprano soloist with the Boston Pops on their “Mozart’s Greatest Hits” program as well as their “Holiday Pops” series, both under Keith Lockhart. Other solo performances include the Carmel Bach Festival, Aston Magna Festival, Cactus Pear Music Festival, and the White Mountain Bach Festival. Learn more about Kristen on her website, www.kristenwatsonsoprano.com.

Harpsichordist Michael Sponseller has appeared throughout Europe and North America with critical acclaim as a soloist, conductor, and chamber musician. Winner of the American Bach Soloists Competition (1998) and the Jurow International Harpsichord Competition (2002), he holds the distinction of being a two-time prizewinner at the Festival of Flanders International Harpsichord Competition (Bruges), as well as taking prizes in Montréal and Kalamazoo. In addition to holding degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague, Michael was a teacher of harpsichord at the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music. Mr. Sponseller can also be heard on several recordings from Electra, Vanguard Classics, Naxos, Delos and Centaur. In 2006, Michael was named Lorraine Hunt Lieberson Fellow by Boston’s Emmanuel Music, in recognition of his achievements as emerging young artist. The following year, he founded Ensemble Florilege, (www.ensembleflorilege.org) a chamber ensemble dedicated to the performance of lesser-performed repertory of the 17th & 18th centuries.

Cellist Cora Swenson became interested in historical performance at an early age, and has since worked with such respected musicians as Paul O’dette, Phoebe Carrai, Kristian Bezuidenhout, Malcom Bilson, Rachel Barton Pine, David Schrader, John Mark Rozendaal and Martin Pearlman. Cora has attended festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival and the Pacific Music Festival. Beginning cello at age 3 1/2, she has studied with teachers including Alan Harris, Richard Hirschl, and Marc Johnson. She has a Bachelors Degree in Cello Performance from the Eastman School of Music (2010) and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Cello Performance at the Boston University College of Fine Arts. She has participated in masterclasses by prominent musicians including Steven Isserlis, Paul Katz, Scott St. John, and Pamela Frank. She has also worked with artists such as David Halen, Larry Combs, the Vermeer Quartet, the Ying Quartet, Pacifica Quartet and members of the Chicago Symphony, Vienna Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.