Kettering grad lands first major singing role in production rarely performed in U.S.

Opera singer Caitlin Crabill, the daughter of Ketterings' Neal Crabill and Lynn Hulsey, a long-time Dayton Daily News reporter.

Credit: Submitted

Credit: Submitted

Opera singer Caitlin Crabill, the daughter of Ketterings' Neal Crabill and Lynn Hulsey, a long-time Dayton Daily News reporter.

A 2008 Kettering Fairmont High School graduate has landed her first major role in a work not seen in the United States in more than 30 years.

Caitlin Crabill, the daughter of Neal Crabill and Lynn Hulsey, a long-time Dayton Daily News reporter, will play the title role of Wally in Sarasota Opera's production of "La Wally" by Italian operatic composer Alfredo Catalani. 

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Italian soprano Teresa Romano was originally scheduled to perform in the production, but had to withdraw due to illness, according to Opera Wire. 

La Wally has only been staged eight times in the country since 1892, according to the Sarasota Opera.

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It is the story of a woman whose decision to pick love over family leads to tragic results.

The opera will be performed six times March 7-22, for anyone who will be in Florida during that time. Tickets start at $19. For more information, visit SarasotaOpera.org or call 941-328-1300.

Caitlin Crabill, was a member of the Symphonic Chorale and the a cappella group Eleventh Hour while at Fairmont.

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In 2017, she was selected from national auditions to participate in Sarasota Opera's prestigious Apprentice Artist program.
Last year,  she made here title role debuts in "Turandot" and "Madame Butterfly."

She will sing the role of Dona Elvira in the Sarasota Opera’s 2020 fall season production of “Don Giovanni.”

Crabill graduated from Capital University in Columbus with a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance before earning her master’s in opera performance from Oklahoma City University.

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