Michelle Francis Cook is an acclaimed Italo-Australian mezzo-soprano celebrated for her diverse and dynamic operatic repertoire. Her musical journey began at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) in Australia, where she earned her degree in opera and was honored with the award for Best Voice. She further honed her craft at prestigious institutions, including the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Formazione in Italy, and Campus Opera in Gran Canaria.

Under the guidance of renowned teachers such as Erik Halfvarson, Cristina Gallardo-Domas, Margaret Baker-Genovesi, Paolo Washington, and Deborah Polaski, Michelle developed a rich and versatile vocal technique.

Upon graduation, Michelle quickly made her mark on the operatic stage as a spinto soprano. She performed leading roles such as Mimi, Giorgetta, and Anne Trulove with Melbourne City Opera and Opera Australia (OzOpera). Her exceptional talent has been recognized with several awards, including four Acclaim Awards. Notably, she sang the role of Madama Cortese in Il Viaggio a Reims by Rossini for Florence Opera in Italy.

Michelle’s career has included significant performances across the globe. She graced the stage in Le Donne di Giacomo Puccini in Australia and performed various roles at the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago, Italy. Her portrayal of iconic roles such as Leonora in Il Trovatore, Tosca in Tosca, and Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana has been met with critical acclaim.

Her international achievements include recording a CD with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra in the Czech Republic and participating in the Opera de Oviedo's concert of Massenet’s works. Michelle also portrayed Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni with great success.

Between 2007 and 2012, Michelle has been a distinguished performer at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, taking on roles such as the 4th Magd and Schleppträgerin in Strauss’s Elektra, Pepa Tiefland and Prilepa in Pikovaya Dama, and a Flower Maiden in Wagner’s Parsifal. She also covered roles like Donna Elvira and La Pepona La Cabeza del Bautista. Throughout 2012 and 2013, she was actively involved in various concerts and tours, including the Viva Verdi Concert and Un Día en La Opera orchestral concert, showcasing her spinto soprano repertoire.

In September 2016, commenced her roles as a mezzo soprano when she portrayed Bizet’s Carmen in Terrassa, Barcelona, followed by a successful run of Tosca in 2017, which took her on a tour of France and Spain with Opera2001 in over 30 theatres. Her performance as Aida in Verdi’s Aidai n November 2018 further solidified her reputation as a leading opera singer. 

Michelle’s repertoire encompasses roles in Italian, German, French, Spanish, Catalan, Russian, Czech, English, and Portuguese, showcasing her linguistic and stylistic versatility.

As a teacher, launched MFC Vocal in Barcelona, 2006 training both Contemporary and Classical students in her studio. She was the head of the Voice department in Carro de Baco Theatre Accademy, in St Cugat, Barcelona Spain. She trained contemporary voice and ensemble for 9 years. A number of her students were successful in The Voice Spain (La Voz) with one notable student a finalist.

Michelle performed regularly on TV as an operatic guest, and, with contemporary voice with her daughter Amariah Cook, on the National singing competition Levantate for Tele5 where they were rank top 4 in Spain.

In 2019 Michelle returned to Australia and launched the new and thriving MFC Vocal Studio in Melbourne.