Throughout her childhood in China, singing had been Bizhou Chang’s passion. Although the gifted soprano continued to study voice, her family had persuaded her to pursue a more practical career in economics. But the convergence of two life events brought clarity.
The first was the sudden death of her mother, a genesis of soul searching. The second was her performance in the title role of Handel’s Alcina at Boston Conservatory at Berklee in 2016.
“It was the process of rehearsing and being part of a cast and creating something magical,” says Chang. “That opera was the main reason I decisioned that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.”
Her decision soon paid off. In 2018, she became a finalist in Teatro alla Scala Academy of Lyric Opera Competition in Italy. The next year, she became a finalist in the XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition in Russia.
Now a doctoral student in the University of Kentucky’s voice program, Chang continues to refine her skills. On the horizon is a performance as Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata—which will mark her first time singing the role—with Pensacola Opera, where she served as an artist-in-residence and has performed four other times.
“I’ve been learning so much about how to sing and further develop what’s possible for the instrument by learning a Verdi score,” says Chang, who performed multiple roles in opera houses in Florida, Tennessee, Ohio and New Mexico.
Chang will sing the role of Mimi in Opera Orlando’s production of Puccini’s La Bohème on Friday, October 3, and Sunday, October 5, in Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center. She has played the role onstage in 2021 and 2023, as well as in a 2021 feature film. Then, in 2024, she auditioned for Opera Orlando General Director Gabriel Preisser.
“I only knew they were planning to do a Puccini classic,” she recalls. “I was surprised to be offered the role of Mimi. I’m so excited. La Bohème is a perfect opera. I don’t think there’s one note or one minute that’s wasted.”
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is located at 445 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando. For more information, visit drphillipscenter.org or call 407-358-6603.
