Mezzo-soprano Kate Aldrich rocketed to stardom in 2001 with an appearance as Amneris in film/stage director Franco Zeffirelli's production of Verdi's Aida, marking the 100th anniversary of Verdi's death. She is also known for performing the role of Bizet's Carmen. Aldrich made her professional debut at the Verona Arena in Italy in 2000 as Preziosilla in Verdi's La forza del destino. In 2008, she appeared on a recording of Handel's oratorio Il trionfo del tempo e del disinganno, HWV 46a, with the Academia Montis Regalis. In 2016, she made a guest appearance on soprano Pretty Yende's debut album, A Journey. Aldrich has recorded such works as Massenet's Ariane (in 2023), and in 2024, she was heard in the title role in the world premiere recording of Saint-Saëns' final opera, Déjanire.
