Meet guest soprano Stefanie True - Tafelmusik : Tafelmusik

December 2, 2025

Canadian soprano Stefanie True was born in Sherbrooke, Québec, studied Early Music at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, and is now based in Germany. Her engagement as guest soprano soloist for our upcoming performances of Messiah and Sing-Along Messiah will be a sort of homecoming for the singer in more ways than one: back in 2003, Stefanie participated in the second annual Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute (TBSI), where she worked with Ivars Taurins.

Stefanie’s recent operatic appearances include prestigious engagements across Europe with The Grange Festival, Göttingen Handel Festival, Tage Alter Musik Regensburg, and the Ambronnay Festival, among others. In 2019, she created the role of Cécile de Volanges in Opera2Day’s Dangerous Liaisons. In concert, she sings regularly with Vox Luminis and has appeared with many of the world’s top period ensembles and orchestras.

We recently connected with Stefanie to chat about her initiation into the world of period music, her favourite moments in Handel’s Messiah, and, well, to talk turkey—literally!

You can hear Stefanie at our Messiah concerts December 18 to 20 at Koerner Hall, and Sing-Along Messiah on December 21 at Massey Hall.

How did music first enter your life and when did you discover that you had a special talent for singing?

My mother used to say that she didn’t know how to talk to babies, and so she sang to me instead. I suspect that was my earliest introduction to the language of music. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t listen to music: on long car drives, when falling asleep, when I needed comfort—music was a constant friend. As far back as I can remember, I always sang. I think singing was my main means of self expression from early childhood. It only occurred to me that I might have a special talent for it when I started getting selected to sing solos in school and children’s choir, winning prizes in local festivals, that kind of thing.

Growing up in Cornwall (ON), did you ever imagine that one day you might win first prize at the Handel Singing Competition in London, UK, and go on to build an international career?

Absolutely not. I had all kinds of fantasies about my future—performing on Broadway, becoming a television actress or movie star—the usual dreams of young girls, but becoming a classical singer/early music specialist was far from being on my radar. However, I certainly did already know very deeply that whatever direction my life took, singing would have to be a part of it.

*Stefanie’s performance would win her the top prize at the 2011 Handel Singing Competition*

**When did you sing your first Messiah (chorister or soloist) and what makes the work so enduring and universally appealing?**

My first Messiah was as a chorister with the Elmer Iseler Singers in 2003. I found it absolutely exhilarating and loved every minute of that concert. For me, Handel was the master of writing music that went directly to the heart, and his Messiah is a perfect example of this. The first part captures all the joy and hope of a newborn baby coming into the world: the tenderness, fragility, wonder, and pure overflowing joy that this miracle brings to everyone. I am always moved by the sheer drama of the second part, as he tells the story of Christ’s passion in this incredible series of choruses. In fact, for me it is the choir movements especially that give the piece its universal appeal. They are the parts that never fail to open my heart and make it sing.

Now that you’re based in Europe, what do you most look forward to when you have the chance to return to Canada?

The main thing I look forward to is seeing my family. Aside from that, I think what I look forward to the most is proper seasons. In the winter I always hope for some proper snow, beautiful colours in the fall, crazy heat in the summer, and cool freshness in the spring. Also, when I come home for Christmas in particular, I especially look forward to turkey! It’s not so easy to find in Europe, as it is not the traditional Christmas dinner here, and it somehow doesn’t feel like Christmas to me without it.

Are you fluent in more than one language, and if so, is there one that “speaks” to you more than others?

Unfortunately, I would not call myself fluent in any language other than English, but over the years I have acquired a working knowledge of French, German, and Dutch. I can also manage some very basic Italian, and in fact, this is probably my favourite of them all. I love the rhythm and clarity of it and wish I could speak it better.

If you were not a singer, what would you most likely be doing now?

Well, I have two young children, so I would probably be spending a lot of time just being busy with that. I also have a fascination with natural medicine, edible wild plants, and all things surrounding pregnancy, birthing, and babies, so I think I could imagine a world where I would work as some version of an herbalist/midwife. Or more likely a singing-herbalist-midwife!

Any upcoming projects that you’re especially excited about?

My next project, coming in January 2026, is quite dear to my heart and is with a group I work with quite often, Vox Luminis and the Freiburger BarockConsort. We will tour a program built around one of my favourite pieces, “Meine Freundin, du bist schön” by Johann Christoph Bach, and will take it to a few cities in Germany, as well as Bruges (Belgium), and London Wigmore Hall (UK).