Ariel Bybee

Ariel Bybee (January 9, 1943 – March 20, 2018) was a mezzo-soprano who has had a distinguished career as a soloist, voice teacher and university opera director.

She first earned accolades at the Met for her performance as Jenny the whore in Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny when she replaced Teresa Stratas on very short notice.

Bybee has sung numerous leading roles at the Met including Hansel in Hänsel und Gretel, Niclausse in Les contes d'Hoffmann and Suzuki in Madama Butterfly.

Bybee's professional talents were discovered by Maestro Maurice Abravanel of the Utah Symphony and later by Kurt Herbert Adler of the San Francisco Opera.

In the spring of 1985, Bybee appeared on stage with the New York City Ballet in its production of Songs of the Auvergne, and she debuted at the Ravinia Festival in Elektra conducted by James Levine.

[7] Before making her debut with the San Francisco Opera Company, Bybee taught junior high school music for five years, first in Utah and then in California.

As well as being heard on numerous Live from Lincoln Center telecasts, Bybee has recorded two solo albums: O Divine Redeemer and Eternal Day.

[10] Bybee proactively used her musical skill to advance the goals of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of which she was a member.