OITP Preview: Stephen Powell

Leading American baritone Stephen Powell is in the midst of a continent-spanning career. The Wall Street Journal has praised his "rich, lyric baritone, commanding presence, and thoughtful musicianship," and opera companies and top maestros around the world have taken notice. What a thrill to have him perform with Madison Opera at Opera in the Park 2010!

Some recent highlights from Stephen's busy schedule include: Germont in La Traviata with the San Francisco Opera; Uncle John in Ricky Ian Gordon's The Grapes of Wrath in concert at Carnegie Hall; soloist in Szymanowski's Stabat Mater with Rome's Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Christoph Eschenbach conducting; the Brahms Requiem with the Baltimore Symphony, as well as the Dutch Radio Orchestra at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam,  both with Marin Alsop conducting; soloist in Carmina Burana with the Cincinnati Symphony, Paavo Jarvi conducting. He also makes his Asian debut in La Traviata at the Beijing National Centre for the Performing Arts in China, under the baton of Lorin Maazel. This summer, in addition to Opera in the Park, Mr. Powell will sing his first Scarpia in Puccini's Tosca with the Minnesota Orchestra, with wife Barbara Shirvis as Tosca.

In addition to his operatic credits, Stephen has delved into the American songbook in recitals and concert appearances across the country. Here he is singing "There but for you go I," from Brigadoon: