Michael Mayes
– His baritone, powerful yet fully controlled, shifted seamlessly in color between expressions of terror, pleading, and angry vengeance. (Classical Scene about Mayes as Rigoletto.)
The baryton Michael Mayes studied at the University of North Texas, and has received several music awards. He is known for his consummate portrayals of modern operatic masterpieces as well as iconic characters in the standard operatic repertoire, like Scarpia in Tosca – and the title role in Don Giovanni and Rigoletto.
He is renowned for his outstanding performances in contemporary operas, including the Grammy nominated world premiere of Great Scott.Two of his celebrated roles are also Joseph De Rocher in Dead Man Walking and the Vietnam War prisoner Jim Thompson in Glory Denied at several different opera houses.
Mayes made his European debut at the Teatro Real, Madrid, in staged performances of Dead Man Walking, together with Joyce DiDonato as Sister Helen. Spring 2019 he had his debut with Staatsoper Stuttgart as the title character in Nixon in China. Summer 2019 he had his role debut as Wozzeck, at Des Moines Metro Opera in Iowa.
The title role as Sweeney Todd marks Michael Mayes’ first visit at Bergen National Opera.
– a dynamic baritone which scales the range of emotions from amorous tenderness to murderous rage
(The Tech about Mayes as Tonio in Pagliacci at Boston Lyric Opera autumn 2019)
See interview with Michael Mayes at The Atlanta Opera, where he had his debut as Sweeney Todd:
