Hailed as “the next generation of opera singer,” American baritone Brent Reilly Turner keeps an active schedule in both concert and the operatic stage and has performed throughout the United States and Italy. In 2002, Turner made his professional stage debut with Orlando Opera as “King Melchior” in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors. His international debut was with The Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca singing the role of “Conte Almaviva” in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro.
In the ‘2009-10 season, Turner appeared with the Utah Opera as the “Medico” in Verdi’s Macbeth, “Dancairo” in Bizet’s Carmen, “Haly” in Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri, and “Marco” in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. He also had appearances with the Utah Symphony in their annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah, Holiday Pops, and as “Papageno” in an abridged version of The Magic Flute. This past summer, Turner attended the prestigious Apprentice Program at the Santa Fe Opera. His 2010-‘11 season engagements include “Schunard” in Puccini’s La Boheme and the featured soloist in Utah Symphony’s presentation of Robert Kapilow’s The Polar Express.
Turner holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Stetson University in Deland, FL (B.M. 2005) where he studied with Dr. Craig Maddox. He also received a Master of Music degree (M.M. 2007) from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati under the tutelage of William McGraw. Turner has participated in young artist programs with Tulsa Opera, Ash Lawn Opera, Opera North, Brevard Music Center, V.O.I.C.Experience, and Utah Opera.
Turner’s stage contributions extend between professional and amateur companies, and he is equally as comfortable with music theatre as with the operatic stage. His study of American musical theatre has led him to such roles as the title role in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, “El Gallo” in Schmidt’s The Fantasticks, and “Col. Hugh Pickering” from Lerner and Loewe’s classic My Fair Lady. Turner’s operatic highlights include “Sid” in Britten’s Albert Herring,” Belcore” in Donzetti’s L’elisir d’amore, “Albert” in Massanet’s Werther, and “Eisenstein” in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus.
Though born in Singapore, Turner grew up in Oviedo, FL considers himself a native Central Floridian. He currently resides in Houston, Texas.
RESUME
| ROLES PERFORMED | ||
| 2008 | ||
| Imperial Commissioner | Madame Butterfly | Utah Opera |
| Father | Hansel and Gretel (select scenes) | Utah Symphony |
| Morales | Carmen | Ash lawn Opera |
| Kouravar | Lakmé | Tulsa Opera |
| Pirate King * | The Pirates of Penzance | Tulsa Opera |
| 2007 | ||
| Albert | Albert | CCM |
| Belcore | L’elisir d’amore | L’elisir d’amore |
| 2006 | ||
| Sid | Albert Herring | Opera North |
| Conte Almaviva | Le nozze di Figaro | Opera Theatre of Lucca |
| Escamillo | Carmen | CCM |
| Sid | Albert Herring | CCM |
| 2005 | ||
| Dr. Falke | Die Fledermaus | Stetson University |
| 2004 | ||
| Musiklehrer | Ariadne auf Naxos | Brevard Music Center |
| The Judge | Trial by Jury | Stetson University |
| MUSIC THEATRE | ||
| 2008 | ||
| Colonel Pickering | My Fair Lady | Ash lawn Opera |
| 2004 | ||
| El Gallo | The Fantasticks | Stetson University |
| Colonel Pickering | My Fair Lady | Brevard Music Center |
| 2003 | ||
| Sweeney Todd | Sweeney Todd | Stetson University |
| CONCERT/ORATORIO | ||
| 2007 | ||
| Baritone Soloist | Messiah | Lebanon Symphony Orchestra |
| Baritone Soloist | Mass in C (Mozart) | Lebanon Symphony Orchestra |
| 2005 | ||
| Baritone Soloist | Christmas Oratorio | Music Sacra |
| Baritone Soloist | Messiah | Orlando Philharmonic |
| YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS | ||
| 2008-2009 | ||
| Utah Opera | Apprentice Artist | |
| 2008 | ||
| Ash lawn Opera | Apprentice Artist | |
| Tulsa Opera | Studio Artist | |
| 2006 | ||
| Opera Theatre of Lucca | Opera Program | |
| Opera North | Young Artist | |
| 2005 | ||
| Young Artist | I Solisti | |
| 2004 | ||
| Brevard Music Center | Young Artist | |
| 2002 | ||
| V.O.I.C.Experience | Young Artist | |
| EDUCATION | ||
| 2007 | ||
| College-Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati, OH | Masters of Music – voice | |
| 2005 | ||
| Stetson University, Deland, FL | Bachelor of Music – voice performance | |
| TEACHERS | ||
| William McGraw | Dr. Craig Maddox | |
| COACHES | ||
| Carol Anderson | Richard Bado | Mark Armstrong |
| Kenneth Griffiths | Sylvia Plyler | Reed Woodhouse |
| DIRECTORS | ||
| David Lefkowich | Cecilia Shieve | Nic Muni |
| Sandra Bernhard | Paula Williams | Robert Swedberg |
| CONDUCTORS | ||
| Andrew Bisantz | Chris Larkin | Kostis Protopapas |
| Carol I. Crawford | Mark Gibson | Hall France |
| SPECIAL SKILLS | ||
| Juggling, Proficient on Guitar, Stage Combat | ||
| AWARDS AND HONORS | ||
| 2005 | ||
| Patricia M. Hauben Award – Palm Beach Opera Competition | ||
| 2007 | ||
| Korst Opera Scholarship – University of Cincinnati | ||
*denotes outreach performance
