Hailed by the Journal of Singing for the “commendable clarity in her singing as well as rich expressiveness,” soprano Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk’s solo CD of the world premieres of Lori Laitman’s The Secret Exit was released by Naxos in 2020. Recorded with clarinetist Denise Gainey, Fanfare noted that “hearing Hurst-Wajszczuk and Gainey work as one on these songs just underlines the music’s power,” since they “feel each and every nuance.” Sakira Ventura celebrates “the perfect articulation of the soprano, who seems to sculpt each one of the syllables of text.” Following pre-pandemic American, Belgian, and Canadian premieres, the duo brought The Secret Exit to Austria in 2022.

In several appearances with Opera Birmingham, she created the role of Mary Rose in Jody Landers’s new opera, Now Let Us Praise Famous Men. The soprano has also premiered several new works with the Birmingham Art Music Alliance (BAMA). She performed for composer Bill Mayer’s 70th birthday celebration concert in Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall in the role of Madeline in the composer’s The Eve of St. Agnes. Other recent engagements include solo appearances with the Alabama and Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestras. She was featured in the title role of Dido & Aeneas with Bourbon Baroque, Louisville’s period instrument ensemble, and returned in 2022 for Handel’s Neun Deutsche Arien. Other appearances include the title role in Cavalli’s Erismena with the Amherst Early Music Festival. A specialist in the lute songs of John Dowland, her solo CD of Dowland lute songs was released in 2008 by Centaur.

For more information, visit www.kristinehurst.com.