Seven Sopranos Come to Capital Fringe Festival

Glover Park native Susanna Lauer wants people to understand that it is possible to make a living in music. She’s living proof of that.

Lauer, who has a master’s degree in vocal performance, both teaches and performs as a full time career. She is one of three DC natives in the 7 Sopranos along with Adrienne Neal and Angeli Ferrette.

Lauer attended and Edmund Burke schools. Ferrette went to for high school. Neal attended University of the District of Columbia.

“It’s great to see some local performers coming together and doing what they love,” Lauer said.

The 7 Sopranos were founded 4 years ago by artistic director Cynthia Cole. Cole said that the group is a way for the singers to come together and perform often, presenting opera and classical music in what she calls “a different way.”

“It’s fast, like 30 second sound bites, arranged for 7 sopranos. We sing like instruments in an orchestra,” Cole said. “We cover lots of types of music for a classically trained voice.”

Cole said that she is very happy with the performers in the group now, all of whom auditioned to join.

“I have now a great camaraderie. We’re like 7 sisters,” Cole said.

Lauer, who has been in the group for two and a half years, echoed that sentiment saying that she is constantly looking forward to attending rehearsals.

From July 12th to July 24th, the Sopranos will be bringing what Cole describes as their “kaleidoscope of sound” to the Capital Fringe Festival in venues across the city. During their two week stint, the group will be performing five times.

The Festival runs from July 7th to July 24th, according to their website. The Festival is put on by Capital Fringe, a non-profit organization who aims to bring more attention to performing arts in Washington. Performances are held across 19 different stages, the venues and
schedule of each can be found on their website.

The Sopranos are excited to be one of the over 700 performances that the festival boasts, Cole said.

“The festival is something different for us. It’s supposed to be new and cutting edge and will be great exposure and lots of performances,” Lauer said. “It’ll be nice to perform where many of our friends and family can come out and watch.”

Cole warns that audiences should be prepared to be surprised and forced to pay close attention to the 7 Sopranos.

“You constantly have to watch and listen, you don’t know who will sing next,” Cole said. “We’re different voices and different personalities, with some harmony, that all fit together into one piece.”

For more information on the 7 Sopranos please visit their website. To find a Capital Fringe Festival performance near you please check out the official schedule.

The Sopranos next performance will be July 15th at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church.