David Daniels (countertenor)

David Daniels (born 12 March 1966) is an American countertenor.

Youth

Daniels was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the son of two singing teachers. He began to sing as a boy soprano, moving to tenor as his voice matured. His father, Perry Daniels, was one of the pre-eminent members of the performing faculty during each summer at Brevard Music Center, linked to the School of Music at Converse College in Spartanburg. Daniels studied music at the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Dissatisfied with his achievements as a tenor, Daniels switched to singing countertenor during graduate studies at the University of Michigan under the guidance of his teacher, George Shirley.

Professional debut

Daniels made his professional singing debut in 1992. In 1997, he won the Richard Tucker Award. In 1999, he made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera, as Sesto in Giulio Cesare. His repertoire has grown to include other major Handel's roles, including Arsace in the comedy Partenope at the Lyric Opera of Chicago; the title role in Tamerlano; and Arsamene in Xerxes. At the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, Daniels played the title roles in Rinaldo and Orlando, as well as David in Saul. He also interpreted Ottone in Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea. In Vivaldi's opera Bajazet, he sang the role of Tamerlano.

Daniels has also branched out from the baroque roles usually associated with counter-tenors to include Oberon in Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Metropolitan Opera, and as Orfeo in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Art songs

In addition to his operatic work, Daniels also gives regular recitals, for which he has developed a repertoire that includes 19th- and 20th-century art songs not usually associated with countertenors, including works by such composers as Berlioz and Poulenc.

Personal life

David Daniels is openly gay^[1] and lives with his long-time life partner.

External links

• David Daniels' website
• Interview with David Daniels (in parterre box)

Sources

1. ^ Edinburgh festival

Persondata
Name	Daniels, David
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Date of birth	12 March 1966
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