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Biography With great success, Bass-Baritone Kristopher Irmiter recently made his Lyric Opera of Chicago debut opposite Deborah Voight as Scarpia in Tosca. One of the most sought after low voices in the U.S., Mr. Irmiter has performed in all 50 states and throughout Canada. A 2007 Grammy Nominee, he has garnered critical acclaim throughout North America. In publications which include the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Opera News, San Francisco Chronicle, Salt Lake Tribune, Charlotte Observer, Miami Herald and Baltimore Sun, critics describe his voice as "excellent, richly expressive - alternately stentorian and tender - as notable for it's security and tonal weight as for an abundant variety of phrasing" and give equal praise of his dramatic skill "masterful portrayal - commanding charismatic stage presence - enough talent to succeed on his acting ability alone - powerful performance". With over 90 roles in his performed repertoire, Mr. Irmiter has exhibited a vast range both vocally and dramatically in performances with San Francisco Opera, L'Opera de Montreal, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Baltimore Opera, Atlanta Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Utah Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Arizona Opera, and Florida Grand Opera among others.Upcoming for Mr. Irmiter include return engagements to San Diego Opera as Dr. Grenvil in La Traviata, Opera Carolina as Escamillo opposite Denyce Graves in Carmen, Lyric Opera of Chicago as Scarpia (cover) in Tosca, and Cleveland Opera, where he will debut yet another new role, Raimondo in Lucia di Lammoor. He will also debut with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony singing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.Recent successful portrayals include Escamillo in Carmen with San Francisco Opera, Mephistopheles in Faust with Utah Opera, Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro with Portland Opera, the title role in Der Fliegende Hollander with Arizona Opera and Alaska Opera, the Villains in Les Contes d'Hoffmann with Opera Lyra in Ottawa, Kurwenal in Tirstan Und Isolde with Florentine Opera, Alidoro in La Cenerentola with Austin Lyric Opera, and appearances with Atlanta Opera, Utah Opera, Opera Omaha and Lyric Opera of Kansas City in the lead role of Rucker Lattimore in Carlisle Floyd's Cold Sassy Tree.Having particular success in the role of Olin Blitch in Susannah, Mr. Irmiter made his Canadian Opera debut with Opera Ontario in this role. Susannah was also the vehicle of his debut with Houston Grand Opera. Under the baton of Richard Bonynge he made his Opera Pacific debut as Sulpice in The Daughter of the Regiment. A frequent guest artist with Florentine Opera, his debut there as Schaunard in La Boheme was quickly followed with returns as Matheiu in Andrea Chenier, James Vain in the American Premier of The Picture Of Dorian Gray, and Sharpless in Madama Butterfly. Additionally, he has appeared as Oscar Hubbard - Regina with Florida Grand Opera, as Papageno - Die Zauberflote with Baltimore Opera, with Portland Opera as the Secret Police Agent - The Consul, Lodovico in Otello with Atlanta Opera and Escamillo in Carmen with The New Jersey Opera Festival. At Opera Memphis, Mr. Irmiter has sung the title role in Gianni Schicchi and the same character in the world premier of Michael Ching's sequel, Buoso's Ghost. He has also performed the title role in Le Nozze di Figaro and Leporello in Don Giovanni with this company. Leporello was the role of his Hawaii Opera debut, his debut at Baltimore Opera was as Zuniga in Carmen and his Atlanta debut was in Madama Butterfly.Mr. Irmiter's orchestral engagements have included appearances with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi Symphony, New Bedford Symphony, Chattanooga Symphony and the Asheville Symphony, performing Messiah, Verdi's Requiem, The Creation, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, the Rossini Stabat Mater, and Mozart's Requiem.Kristopher Irmiter was a two time Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions and winner of the Leonardo da Vince award in San Francisco. He currently resides in the Charlotte area with his wife and two sons. |