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The American baritone, Alan Dunbar,obtained his Bachlor of Arts degree in Music Theory and Composition from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota; and his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Vocal Performance from Indiana University, where he studied with Costanza Cuccaro.
Alan Dunbar is a versatile performer, lauded for his beautiful tone and his nuanced musical and textual interpretation. He was heard most recently as Papageno in Madison Opera’s production of W.A. Mozart's The Magic Flute, and as the bass soloist in J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion with (BWV 245) Voices of Ascension. Past performances and accolades include a staged version of Dominick Argento’s The Andrée Expedition at the Ordway with the Minnesota Source Song Festival, numerous productions with Madison Opera (including Schaunard in La Bohème; Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia; and Owen Hart in Dead Man Walking, April 2014), Samuel Barber's Dover Beach at the Apollo Music Festival, the title role of Benjamin Britten’s Noye's Fludde at Santa Fe Opera (July-August 2013), George Frideric Handel's Messiah with the Santa Fe Symphony and Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and recitals at the Ravinia Festival Steans Institute. He has performed with Madison Opera (April 2012, April 2012), Santa Fe Opera (Apprentice Singer: 2010-2011; July-August 2013), Gotham Chamber Opera (2010-2011), Opera Philadelphia (June 2012: Remount of Nico Muhly's Dark Sisters, covering the role of Prophet/King), and at the Natchez Opera Festival. In 2009 he made his European solo recital debut at the Oslo Grieg Festival, performed as bass soloist in Igor Stravinsky's Pulcinella under Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos at the Tanglewood Music Festival, and won the grand prize at the 2009 Grieg Festival in Winter Park, Florida. He also sang the role of Zaretsky in Eugene Onegin at the Tanglewood Music Festival with Renée Fleming and Peter Mattei, and has collaborated with choreographer/director Mark Morris in performances with the Mark Morris Dance Group, as well as in the I. Stravinsky chamber opera Renard.
Alan Dunbar was a founding member of the Minnesota-based internationally acclaimed male chamber vocal ensemble Cantus, and sang throughout North America and Europe with the ensemble (1998-2004). During his tenure with Cantus, he recorded ten albums and appeared as a soloist with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, at the Oregon Bach Festival, the 2002 World Choral Symposium, and the 2003 Polyphonia Festival in Normandy, France. He has also composed and arranged many pieces for the ensemble, including The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (Gordon Lightfoot), Alleluia Amen, Bashana Haba'ah (Manor/Hirsh), and Stick to the Craythur (trad. Irish).
Since August 2014, Alan Dunbar has served as Assisstant Professor of Voice - Director of Vocal Activities at Winona State University. |
