Merrill Hall, MU104B
Russell Thomas is professor of practice in voice at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
An American tenor with a “heroically shining tone of exceptional clarity and precision” (Opera Magazine) and “gorgeously burnished power” (The New York Times), Thomas uses his signature elegance and intensity to create vivid character portrayals on the world’s most important stages.
He has earned particular acclaim for interpretations of Verdi’s leading men, including the roles of Don Alvaro in La forza del destino (Deutsche Oper Berlin), Manrico in Il trovatore (Lyric Opera of Chicago, Bayerische Staatsoper), Otello (Canadian Opera Company, Washington National Opera, Deutsche Oper), Adorno in Simon Boccanegra (Royal Opera House Covent Garden), and Don Carlo (Washington National Opera, Deutsche Oper).
Thomas has also enjoyed successes in bel canto roles such as Roberto Devereux (San Francisco Opera) and Pollione in Norma (Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia), and verismo repertoire including Turiddu in Cavalleria rusticana (Deutsche Oper) and Rodolfo in La bohème (Metropolitan Opera).
He has had the privilege of collaborating with celebrated conductors such as Teodor Currentzis, Gustavo Dudamel, Sir Mark Elder, Ricardo Muti, Andris Nelsons, Sir Simon Rattle, Donald Runnicles, and Michael Tilson Thomas.