Mimi: Rachel Cobb
Musetta: Penelope Shumate
Marcello: Michael Mayes
Rodolpho:
Daniel Holmes
Schaunard: Raymond Ayers
Colline: Branch Fields
Artistic Director: Craig Fields
RAYMOND AYERS
Schaunard / La Bohème
Baritone Raymond Ayers is noted for his interpretation of new music. The Minneapolis Star Tribune said of his success in John Adam’s Nixon in China, “Raymond Ayers struck just the right tone as Chou En-lai: detached and philosophical.” Aislesay.com also said “Raymond Ayers’ Chou En-lai is particularly sensitive and strong, and adds substance to the dimension of political analysis.”
Mr. Ayers recently completed his training in the Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Program. While in the program, he was entrusted with both compromario and leading roles, many of which he received excellent reviews. Some of his roles included: Madama Butterfly (Sharpless), the title role in Der Kaiser von Atlantis, Nixon in China (Chou En-lai), Carmen (El Dancaïre), Maria Padilla (Ramiro, Don Pedro cover), Tosca (Angelotti/Jailer), Il Signor Bruschino (Gaudenzio) and Don Giovanni (Masetto, Don Giovanni cover).
This fall, Mr. Ayers was seen performing the world premiere of The Star Gatherer (Mega the Baker), a newly commissioned opera by the St. John’s Boys’ Choir. This new work, comprised of a solo baritone and boy choir, was written by renowned American composer Stephen Paulus, and librettist Gene Scheer. Mr. Ayers will reprise the role of Mega the Baker in October 2007.
Mr. Ayers is a frequent guest with the Minnesota Orchestra, having collaborated with esteemed music director Osmo Vänskä, and critically acclaimed international conductor Andrew Litton. Recently he shared the stage with renowned artists Deborah Voigt, Carl Tanner and Greer Grimsley singing Tosca (Angelotti/Jailer). He was also seen on the stage of Sommerfest in the Orchestra’s production of Carmen (Zuniga, Escamillo cover), and recently returned to reprise his role of the father in their charming holiday production of Hansel and Gretel this past December.
