Andrew Oakden

Baritone Andrew Oakden continues to garner critical acclaim in opera houses across the United States and abroad making his international debut last season with Opéra de Nice, performing the role of Rambaldo LA RONDINE.  Mr. Oakden made his New York City Opera mainstage debut during the 2007-2008 season performing the roles of Alfio CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA and Tonio PAGLIACCI, which he performed earlier that season with Virginia Opera.  Recent engagements include company debuts with Florida Grand Opera, performing his first Figaro LE NOZZE DI FIGARO and with Shreveport Opera the role of Lescaut MANON LESCAUT, a reprise of the roles of Sharpless MADAMA BUTTERFLY with Utah Opera and Marcello LA BOHÈME with Mercury Opera and performances of Raleigh ROBERTO DEVEREUX in a new production with Dallas Opera.  On the concert stage, Mr. Oakden recently performed with Santa Fe Symphony as soloist in Orff Carmina Burana after successful performances of the Mandarin TURANDOT and Pietro SIMON BOCCANEGRA with Santa Fe Opera. 

Baritone Andrew Oakden continues to garner critical acclaim in opera houses across the United States and abroad making his international debut last season with Opéra de Nice, performing the role of Rambaldo LA RONDINE.  Mr. Oakden made his New York City Opera mainstage debut during the 2007-2008 season performing the roles of Alfio CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA and Tonio PAGLIACCI, which he performed earlier that season with Virginia Opera.  Recent engagements include company debuts with Florida Grand Opera, performing his first Figaro LE NOZZE DI FIGARO and with Shreveport Opera the role of Lescaut MANON LESCAUT, a reprise of the roles of Sharpless MADAMA BUTTERFLY with Utah Opera and Marcello LA BOHÈME with Mercury Opera and performances of Raleigh ROBERTO DEVEREUX in a new production with Dallas Opera.  On the concert stage, Mr. Oakden recently performed with Santa Fe Symphony as soloist in Orff Carmina Burana after successful performances of the Mandarin TURANDOT and Pietro SIMON BOCCANEGRA with Santa Fe Opera. 

In 2006 Mr. Oakden sang several performances of Marcello LA BOHÈME while covering the role of Francesco in Verdi's I MASNADIERI with Sarasota Opera.  This company has been a hugely supportive in the development of Mr. Oakden's early career.  In 2005, he was given his first opportunity to sing the roles of Alfio CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA and Tonio PAGLIACCI at Sarasota Opera while covering Stankar in Verdi's STIFFELIO.  Following his success as Tonio at Sarasota Opera, the Sunday Telegraph (London) wrote, "...the unexpected thrill of a young baritone, Andrew Oakden, stepping in at a moment's notice into the role of Tonio and bringing the house down with his superb singing of the prologue...Oakden is a name to note." 

Also during the 2005 season Mr. Oakden made his Fort Worth Symphony debut in a concert version of DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE where he sang the role of Papageno. With Indianapolis Opera he performed Marullo and covered the title role in RIGOLETTO and Germont LA TRAVIATA.  For Janiec Opera Theater he has performed the roles of Sharpless MADAMA BUTTERFLY and Germont LA TRAVIATA.

As a graduate of Indiana University School of Music, he studied with Virginia Zeani and Timothy Noble and performed various leading roles, including; the title role in RIGOLETTO, Enrico LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, and Germont LA TRAVIATA.  Of his performance of Germont, Peter Jacobi of the Herald Times wrote, "Oakden's voice has gained such richness and [he] threatens to become what the world has few of: a resonant Verdi baritone." 

The Metropolitan Opera has also taken notice of Mr. Oakden's impressive talents and have been very pleased to engage him in recent seasons to cover the roles of Lescaut MANON LESCAUT, Fiorello IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA and Wagner FAUST.  This season he looks forward to returning to the Metropolitan Opera for THE NOSE.

Mr. Oakden has also received high honors in many of the top US vocal competitions, including; First Prize Winner in the Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition (2006), finalist in both the regional Metropolitan Opera Competition and the MacAllister Awards (2005).  He has participated in Young Artist Programs with Minnesota Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Aspen Music Festival, and Sarasota Opera, and he has had the privilege of working with James Conlon, Tito Capobianco, Corrado Rovaris, Imre Pallo, Sherrill Milnes, David Effron, and Alan Gilbert.