FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music is pleased to announce the appointments of tenor Bryan Hymel and baritone Kelly Markgraf as associate professors of music in voice, effective Aug. 1.
Praised by The New York Times for his 2012 Metropolitan Opera debut as Énée in “Les Troyens,” Hymel was awarded the Met’s Beverly Sills Artist Award for his achievements in the production. He is also the winner of the 2013 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera for his trio of performances in “Les Troyens,” “Robert le diable” and “Rusalka” at London’s Royal Opera House. An exclusive recording artist for Warner Classics, his first solo album, “Héroïque,” debuted at number three on the Billboard Classical Music chart and earned him the Georges Thill Prize by the Académie Nationale du Disque Lyrique and the Newcomer of the Year Award from ECHO Klassik.
Markgraf created the roles of Paul Jobs in Mason Bates’ “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs” at Santa Fe Opera (which won a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording), Ring Lardner in Joel Puckett’s “The Fix” and Hannah-Before in Laura Kaminsky’s groundbreaking “As One.” Committed to unique works and collaborations, he gave the U.S. premiere of Shostakovich’s “War Front Songs,” presented rare songs of Viktor Ullmann at Alice Tully Hall and performed in John Adams’ “The Death of Klinghoffer,” conducted by the composer. Recent notable operatic appearances include “La Traviata” with Angel Blue and “L’Enfant et les Sortilèges” alongside Isabel Leonard.
“Bryan Hymel and Kelly Markgraf are both extremely accomplished stars on some of the world’s most prestigious opera and concert stages as well as in the recording industry,” said Abra Bush, David Henry Jacobs Bicentennial Dean. “Their distinguished performance careers, coupled with a keen desire to share their expertise, enable them to offer our students professional insights that can come only from such extensive experience.”
Hymel’s career highlights include debuts and return engagements at the world’s most esteemed opera houses and festivals. He made his Covent Garden debut in 2010 as Don José in “Carmen” and has since returned for performances including “Rusalka,” “Les Troyens” and “Don Carlo.” He also made his Teatro alla Scala debut as Don José in 2010, later reprising the role with the Canadian Opera Company and in his debut at the Bayerische Staatsoper.
His Metropolitan Opera debut came in 2012 with “Les Troyens,” and he returned in subsequent seasons for “Madama Butterfly,” “La Bohème” and as Arnold in Rossini’s final opera, “Guillaume Tell.” The new production marked the first staging of “Guillaume Tell” at the Met in over 80 years. Hymel made his widely anticipated debut in 2015 at the Opéra National de Paris for performances of “La Damnation de Faust.”
Hymel is currently a visiting professor at Westminster Choir College, Rider University and was vice president of the Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia from 2018 to 2023.
As a collaborator of depth and versatility, Markgraf has sung repertoire from Bach to Barber with the top chamber music festivals in the U.S., including the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center at Alice Tully Hall, and has performed in recital twice at Carnegie Hall. He has worked with some of the world’s most esteemed conductors and orchestras.
His discography includes the world-premiere recordings of Mason Bates’ “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs,” Ricky Ian Gordon’s “The Grapes of Wrath” and Floyd’s “Wuthering Heights,” among others. He has been seen on PBS’s nationally televised “Great Performances” at Carnegie Hall with Thomas Hampson and Yo-Yo Ma and heard on NPR’s “Performance Today.”
Having long balanced teaching and performing, Markgraf’s ardent interest in archaic treatises informs his pedagogy and makes centuries-old bel canto concepts accessible to the modern singer. He is the founder and lead mentor of The Legato Project, a mentoring platform offering guidance to aspiring young vocalists seeking entry into university music programs and conservatories.
“The Voice Department has a long tradition of renowned scholars and performers in its ranks, including individuals such as Carol Vaness, Giorgio Tozzi and Virginia Zeani. We are delighted to continue that tradition with the extraordinary artists Bryan Hymel and Kelly Markgraf,” said Brian Horne, Voice Department chair. “The breadth and depth of their international performing careers will be of great benefit to their students and, indeed, all students in voice and opera here at the Jacobs School. We welcome them both to the Jacobs family and heritage.”
