Zachary Gordin

Zachary Gordin is a noted interpreter of the 18th century coloratura bass repertoire, the Bel Canto works of Bellini and Donizetti, as well as works of contemporary composers. Unanimous critical acclaim for his recent performances in Carmen (San Francisco Lyric Opera), Tosca (Festival Opera, Walnut Creek), Lucia di Lammermoor (Center Stage Opera, Los Angeles), and Romeo and Juliette (Opera San Jose) praise the intensity of his acting, the beauty and versatility of his voice, and his athletic physique. Formerly one of the leading operatic countertenors of his generation, he brings to his current repertoire the refinement and power demonstrated while working in the U.S. and abroad with such conductors and directors as Nicholas McGegan, Judith Yan, George Cleve, Anthony Quartuccio, Ari Pelto, David Milnes, Jonathan Khuner, Larry Marietta, Michael Morgan, John Copley, Beth Greenberg, and Olivia Stapp. As a countertenor, his roles included Cesare, Oberon, Orfeo, Rinaldo, Serse, Sesto, Tancredi, and the Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas. He has appeared at La Scala, San Francisco Opera, L’Opera de Monte Carlo (aired on PBS) and other major international theatres. His talent has been recognized in prestigious competitions, including: 2006 Pacific Musical Society Competition (Winner), 2005 East Bay Opera League Vocal Competition (Winner), 1999 Bellini International Voice Competition (Winner), 1999 Ibla Grand Prize Baroque Music Competition (Winner), Recipient of the Irene Patti Swartz Encouragement Award for the 2001 Florida Grand Opera National Voice Competition, and Grantee of the Vocal Arts Foundation in San Francisco in 2002. He was also World Finalist for the Academia at Teatro alla Scala in 1999, Regional Finalist for the 2002 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and the youngest candidate selected for the ORFEO 2000 World Competition of International Finalists hosted by Hannover Staatsoper. Highlights of 2003 and 2004 seasons included the World Premiere of “Pido Silencio” by Loretta Notareschi with the Berkeley Contemporary Chamber Players, Couperin’s “Trois Leçons de Ténèbres”, Handel’s “Messiah”, and Vivaldi’s “Gloria” with the Baroque Musicians Guild, and a recital of virtuoso arias and cantatas by Vivaldi for MusicSources Center for Historically Informed Performance in Berkeley, California. Mr. Gordin performed the lead role of Wilder in San Francisco Opera’s World Premiere of “Earthrise”, a role written especially for him by Pulitzer Prize-Winning composer Lewis Spratlan and librettist Constance Congdon. Classical Singer Magazine also interviewed and featured Mr. Gordin as the Guest Artist in its February 2004 edition. Triumphs of the 2005 and 2006 seasons included creating the role of Yama in the premiere of “The Myth of Kurva” for the Berkeley New Music Project’s workshop and concert “Words and Music” led by American composer William Bolcom. San Francisco Classical Voice praised him for his “heroic performance” as Escamillo in “Carmen” with San Francisco Lyric Opera. He also performed the role of Enrico in “Lucia di Lammermoor”, gave a series of Master Classes, and performed in a gala concert for Center Stage Opera in Los Angeles. Mr. Gordin then performed as bass soloist in Schubert’s “Mass in G” and Vivaldi’s “Gloria” with the San Francisco City Chorus. After receiving unanimous critical praise for his performance of Angelotti in “Tosca” for Festival Opera, he returned to Festival Opera, covering the title role in Michael Morgan’s acclaimed production of “Don Giovanni”. He began the fall 2006 season with the role of Count Paris in “Romeo et Juliette” for Opera San Jose, a gala concert for the Pacific Musical Society, and performances of Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater” with the Center Stage Opera Orchestra in Los Angeles. Spring 2007 included a concert of American Arias and Art Songs for Festival Opera, bass soloist in Tippett’s “A Child of Our Time” with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and Women Sing, and baritone soloist in “Carmina Burana” in performances with the Santa Clara Chorale, the Choral Project, and Oakland Symphony Chorus. More recently, he performed as bass soloist in Mendelssohn’s “Die erste Walpurgisnacht” and Duruflé’s “Requiem” with the San Francisco City Chorus, and was the special guest star for the inaugural performance of Opera Frontier. Upcoming projects include work on his first solo album, to be released in summer 2008, a series of Master Classes and recitals in California and New York, performances as bass soloist in Mozart’s “Requiem” with the Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra, and bass soloist in Verdi’s “Requiem” with San Francisco City Chorus.