Biography

American mezzo-soprano Rachel Abbate enjoys an exciting musical career, having performed in venues throughout the United States and Western Europe. Equally comfortable on the operatic and concert stages, Ms. Abbate performs works spanning from Handel to today’s leading composers in contemporary music as well as musical theatre repertoire.

Ms. Abbate’s notable operatic roles include Jo March in Adamo's Little Women, the title role in Handel’s Giulio Cesare in Egitto, Bradamante in Handel’s Alcina, Carole/Natalia in the Southern California premiere of Adam Gorbs’ opera Anya17, Mercédès in Bizet’s Carmen, Eva in Martinů’s Veselohra na mostě (Comedy on the Bridge), and Dinah in Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti. She has performed on the concert stage as the alto soloist in a number of works, including Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, Schubert’s Mass in A-flat Major, Bach’s Magnificat in D, and Mozart’s Requiem.

With an ability and passion for crossing over into theatre repertoire, Ms. Abbate has portrayed roles such as Lily Craven in The Secret Garden, Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown: The Musical, the Witch in Sondheim's Into the Woods, and Truvy Jones in Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias.

Ms. Abbate has received several awards from competitions and organizations. In 2020, she won 2nd Place in the King’s Peak International Music Competition. In 2017, Ms. Abbate won 1st Place in the National Federation of Music Clubs' collegiate auditions in the category of Women’s Voice. In 2014 and 2015, she was a national semi-finalist in the Classical Singer Magazine Vocal Competition. Ms. Abbate was also a recipient of the Louisiana Federation of Music Clubs' Past Presidents State College Award.

A native of Destrehan, LA, a small town outside of New Orleans, Ms. Abbate earned her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Rice University and the Shepherd School of Music in Houston, TX, where she studied voice with Julie Simson. She is also the recipient of the Nancy D. and Robert J. Carney Endowed Scholarship in Voice. Ms. Abbate earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA, where she studied voice with Dr. Lori Bade.

2025-2026 events

Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater

Rachel is thrilled to be featured as the alto soloist in Pergolesi’s celebrated sacred work! This is her first time performing this piece.
**Wednesday, March 26:** 7:00 PM @ Munholland Methodist Church in Metairie, LA

Cinderella

This is Rachel’s second production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical- this time starring as Marie/Fairy Godmother! She previously played Madame in Jefferson Performing Arts Society’s 2022 production.
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Waitress

Rachel is excited to be performing again with Jefferson Performing Arts Society, this time in Sara Bareilles' uplifting and inspiring musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie. Her last JPAS credit was playing Truvy Jones in their 2023 production of *Steel Magnolias*.
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Frozen

Rachel will be ringing in 2026 by bringing the beloved character of Olaf, a happy-go-lucky snowman, to life in JPAS’ production of *Disney’s Frozen*! Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, this is a powerful tale of sisterhood and finding the real meaning of true love.
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music

Stabat Mater by G.B. Pergolesi performed on March 26, 2025 (starts at 22:20). Nicole Heinen, soprano, Katherine Davydova, conductor, Phil Sparks, organ, and the LPO String Ensemble. For audio of specific excerpts, scroll down to the “audio” section.

“Back to Before” from the musical Ragtime.

Jo’s aria “Couldn’t I Unbake the Breads?” from Adamo’s Little Women performed on July 12, 2019 with Opera in the Ozarks.

Purcell's The Blessed Virgin's Expostulation performed on February 18, 2018. Christopher Turbessi, harpsichord and Janaesha Browder, cello. Rice University, Houston, TX.

Joseph Horovitz' Lady Macbeth performed on February 18, 2018. Christopher Turbessi, piano. Rice University, Houston, TX.

Mahler's Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen performed on March 31, 2017. Jennifer Lee, piano. Rice University, Houston, TX.