SINGERS 2009

 

 

 

 

 

Kelly Markgraf, baritone, praised by the New York Times for his “charismatic” and “heart-stirring” singing, recently completed his tenure at the Juilliard Opera Center where his work in the 2008-09 season included the roles of Mamoud in a staged concert of John Adams’ The Death of Klinghoffer, conducted by the composer, and Ford in Verdi’s Falstaff. He recently made his Carnegie Hall debut in the knockout West Side Story portion of the all-Bernstein program that opened the season and was nationally televised, under Michael Tilson Thomas. He also debuted with Pittsburgh Opera as Ragged Man in Ricky Ian Gordon’s The Grapes of Wrath, a role he created in the World Premiere at Minnesota Opera in 2007.

Last summer at Santa Fe Opera, he sang the role of the Bosun in Paul Curran’s production of Billy Budd, under the baton of Edo de Waart. Later in 2009, Kelly sings Escamillo in Madison Opera’s Carmen. 2010 brings another Escamillo, this time for Pittsburgh Opera and another Count in Le Nozze di Figaro at Opera Omaha. He returns to Opera Omaha in 2011 for the title role in Don Giovanni.