Hailed by The Philadelphia Inquirer as "a standout" and The Delco Times as "masterful" soprano Elisa Matthews is recognized for her "clear, lovely voice" and "natural stage prescence". Recently she received a Barrymore nomination for her performance of Meg in Bristol Riverside Theatre's production of Little Women. Gina Stevens of Stage reported "Meg is perfectly played by Elisa Matthews. She sounded, looked and moved like an angel". Elisa will return to BRT this summer to sing in their summer musicale Hooray for Hollywood.
Other recent musical theatre roles include Johanna in a Barrymore-winning production of Sweeney Todd with Arden Theatre, Guenevere in Camelot with Ohio Light Opera, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Magnolia in Show Boat and Grace in Annie (featuring Emmy-winning Wanda Sykes as Miss Hannigan) with Media Theatre, and Belle in A Christmas Carol with People’s Light & Theatre. She has premiered numerous musical theatre works, most recently grammy winner Frank London's A Night in the Old Marketplace with Prince Music Theater, Winesburg, Ohio and Café Puttanesca with Arden Theatre.
Elisa wowed Opera Delaware audiences with her touching portrayal of Beth in Little Women and returned to play Susanna in their production of Le Nozze di Figaro. The News Journal raved "Soprano Elisa Matthews is a perfect Susanna. She has a clear, lovely voice, nowhere more effective than in her Act IV aria [Deh Vieni non Tardar]." Other opera roles include Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Papagena in The Magic Flute, Nella in Gianni Schicchi, Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly and Annina in La Traviata. She has performed roles with The Opera Company of Philadelphia, Bard Music Festival, Ohio Light Opera and Center City Opera Theatre.
On the concert stage, she has performed with the Immaculata Symphony as soprano soloist in Mozart’s Exultate Jubilate, the Delaware Valley Chorale for Rutter’s Requiem, the Williamsport Civic Chorus for Brahm’s Ein Deutches Requiem, and in various concerts with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. She is featured on the first full recording of Victor Herbert's The Fortune Teller with Albany Records.