Press & Praise
“Spellbinding”
— Hancock Herald
“Talented and bubbly, bursting with the goods.”
— Craig Rutenberg, former director of Metropolitan Opera
“There is a lot of voice in that slender soprano… Ashforth was ready to go all the way—she really knows how to convey strong emotions in her singing.”
— Sceneblog, Denmark
“Litha’s impeccable pitch and dramatic talent propels her beyond so many of her peers.”
— Johanna Simpson, conductor
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Bio
Litha Ashforth, coloratura soprano, is known for her “spellbinding” presence on stage.
Her vocal agility and artistic versatility have garnered her accolades, including awards from the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation in Santa Barbara, the Maestro Award from the WorldStrides Heritage Festival, and New England Conservatory’s Entrepreneurial Musicianship Grant.
Ashforth has been featured in title and lead roles spanning a wide range of repertoire. Recent appearances include the roles of Queen of the Night in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” (in concert), Lucia in Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor” (Mad Scene), Gretel in Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel”, Olympia in Offenbach’s “The Tales of Hoffmann”, Adele in Strauss’s “Die Fledermaus”, and Angelina in Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Trial by Jury”.
A strong advocate of new music, Ashforth has been engaged in more than a dozen premieres and has sung the title role in Don DiNicola’s “Vespa” in a set of world premiere performances across New York City.
Her concert work includes Fauré’s “Requiem” with Music on Norway Pond, Britten’s “Rejoice in the Lamb”, and Handel’s “Messiah” at Mount Carmel in Santa Barbara.
Her recital appearances include New York’s Flatiron Festival, Curts Musiksaal in Berlin, the Valley Club of Montecito, and the Santa Barbara Club, as well as a recital in Fermo, Italy.
Ashforth made her New York theatre debut in 2023 in the lead role of “Order” at HERE Arts Center and has participated in New York’s theatre scene as both a performer and composer, incorporating Butoh movement practices and improvisatory forms.
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, California, she earned her Bachelor of Music at New England Conservatory in 2023. Former teachers include Carole Haber and Beth Roberts. Ashforth is based in Los Angeles and holds a German residence permit.