LALO SCHIFRIN, Piano Judge
Rod Gilfry, baritone, has established himself as one of today's most sought-after and compelling baritones. His artistry has been seen in all the world's music capitals, including Vienna, Paris, London, Munich, Zurich, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Best-known as an opera singer, he also has extensive experience as a Master of Ceremonies, a cabaret artist, and as a voice-over artist. He is equally acclaimed as a distinguished recitalist and concert artist. This Grammy-nominated singer has 23 audio and video recordings to his credit, and the DVD and CD of his one-man show My Heart is So Full of You has just been released. His radio show Opera Notes on Air (with co-host Suzanna Guzmán), aired on Los Angeles’ largest Classical station, K-Mozart 105.1 FM, for over three years. With a 40-role repertoire, Mr. Gilfry sings music from the Baroque to that composed expressly for him. He was brought to worldwide attention when he created the role of Stanley Kowalski in the 1998 premiere of André Previn's A Streetcar Named Desire with the San Francisco Opera. This Fall, he created his 5th world premiere role as Jack London in the new Libby Larsen/Philip Littell opera Every Man Jack in Sonoma, California. Other appearances this year include Lionel in the San Francisco Opera production of Tchaikovsky’s Joan of Arc, Prospero in the American premiere of Thomas Ades’ The Tempest at the Santa Fe Opera, and as Nathan in the American premiere of Nicholas Maw’s Sophie’s Choice in Washington D.C, a role he created in London in 2002. In February he sang De Guiche in Alfano’s Cyrano de Bergerac in Valencia, Spain, opposite Placido Domingo, and in May appeared with the Los Angeles Opera as Count Danilo in Lehar’s operetta The Merry Widow. He also performed his one-man show Rodgers to Rossini in Stevens Point, Wisconsin in March, and will appear with the Chicago Symphony as Joe in Frank Loesser’s musical The Most Happy Fella at the Ravinia Festival in July. Rod has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of both Cal State Fullerton, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1981, and the University of Southern California, where he earned a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance in 1983. www.rodgilfry.com
