Rod Gilfry

Rodney Gilfry is a leading American opera baritone. After launching his career at Frankfurt Opera in 1987, Gilfry quickly established a reputation for stylish singing and acting. A renowned Mozart specialist, he has given acclaimed performances as Don Giovanni, Count Almaviva, Guglielmo, and Papageno, and is also known for his work in roles from the standard baritone repertoire (Pelleas, Valentin, Orestes, Belcore, Billy Budd).

Early Years and Training

Rod Gilfry was born in 1959 in Covina, California, and grew up in West Covina and Claremont. He received a bachelors degree in music education from Cal State Fullerton and a masters degree in voice from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. He also studied privately for six years with renowned French baritone Martial Singher. In 1999 he sought further refinement of his technique and studied in Manhattan with Armen Boyajian, teacher of Samuel Ramey and Gerald Finley.

Opera career

Gilfry made his opera debut as a comprimario in "Otello" at Los Angeles Opera in 1986. After seven years as a principal baritone at Frankfurt Opera and Zurich Opera, he returned to the U.S. and originated roles at major houses such as the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Dallas Opera, San Diego Opera, and Los Angeles Opera.

On November 25, 1996, Gilfry made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera as Demetrius in the company's premiere of Britten's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", a role he sang eight times that season. He returned in the 2000-2001 season for six performances each as Marcello in Puccini's "La bohème" and as Guglielmo in Mozart's "Così fan tutte".

In recent years Rod Gilfry has specialized in new music, introducing roles in many new operas. The baritone is probably best known for his portrayal of Stanley Kowalski in Andre Previn's "A Streetcar Named Desire" at San Francisco Opera which premiered in 1998. He also created the role of Nathan in "Sophie's Choice" at Royal Opera House Covent Garden in 2002, a role he will reprise at Washington National Opera in September of 2006. He originated the role of Tsar Nicholas in Drattell's "Nicholas and Alexandra" at Los Angeles Opera in 2003. During the 2005-2006 season he played plantation owner, Edward Gaines, in the groundbreaking opera, "Margaret Garner", at Opera Company of Philadelphia, Cincinnati Opera, and Michigan Opera Theatre. During August 2006 he won raves for his portrayal of Prospero in Thomas Ades' The Tempest with the Santa Fe Opera, one of the few roles in new opera that he did not originate. In November 2006 he created the role of Jack London in Libby Larsen's "Every Man Jack" for Sonoma City Opera. In 2008 he has a full international schedule including the principal role of Falke in a Japanese tour of Die Fledermaus.

Gilfry's vocal excellence has been repeatedly praised by many leading music critics. One reviewer said of him recently in the San Francisco Chronicle: "Even within the embarrassment of riches that is today's crop of baritones, Gilfry surely stands out as one of the few to treasure. Here is a lusciously shaded lyric voice with real dramatic possibilities, with phrasing full of rhythmic vitality and a stage presence many a non-musical actor might envy."

He has sung on 25 recordings including his 1995 "Don Giovanni" CD which was nominated for a Grammy.

Crossover To Musicals

Gilfry fell in love with musicals when he starred in his high school production of "Li'l Abner". He has sung Curly in "Oklahoma!", Billy Bigelow in "Carousel", and Joe in "The Most Happy Fella", all in Los Angeles. In New York he played Robert in the City Center Encores! production of "New Moon", a role he also recorded. He has told interviewers that he hopes to do a run on Broadway in a new musical or revival.

In tandem with the late actor/director Charles Nelson Reilly, he developed a one-man cabaret show that he takes on the road when he is not performing opera or musicals. He also made a DVD and enhanced CD of his cabaret show.

Personal

Married with three children, Gilfry makes his home in suburban Los Angeles. Gilfry shortened his performing name from Rodney to Rod in 2005, and he celebrated his 20th year as a professional opera singer in 2006.Gilfry was also featured in a 2004 episode of the PBS children's television show "Arthur," called "Lights, Camera...Opera!" as himself.

External links

* [http://www.rodgilfry.com/ Official site]
* [http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/frame.htm MetOpera database]
* [http://www.bruceduffie.com/gilfry.html Rod Gilfry interview] by Bruce Duffie