Andrew Wilkowske
Baritone
Andrew Wilkowske- when singing a “virile, sturdy Marcello” or a “garrulous yet endearing” Papageno- displays an engaging combination of musical talent and masterful stage presence. Wilkowske, whose voice has been described as “nimble,” with an “impressively open top,” is one of the most versatile performers on the stage today. According to Opera News, Wilkowske's recent performance of The Elixir of Love with Utah Opera was "played with on-the-nose hubris and vocal swagger."
This season he will reprise the role of Ponchel in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Silent Night with Opera Company of Philadelphia, a role he created in 2011 with Minnesota Opera. He will also sing the role of the Vicar in Florentine Opera's production of Albert Herring, as well as La Rocca in Glimmerglass Opera's new production of Verdi's King for a Day (Un Giorno di Regno). Wilkowske will also perform a recital of rock songs in Milwaukee Opera Theatre's Guns N'Rosenkavalier.
Widely known for his expertise in modern repertoire, Wilkowske recently sang in the world premiere of Kirke Mechem's The Rivals with Skylight Music Theatre. Other recent premieres include Our Basic Nature, by John Glover and Kelley Rourke with American Opera Projects and Nautilus Music Theatre; The Grapes of Wrath, by Ricky Ian Gordon and Michael Korie with Minnesota Opera and Pittsburgh Opera; The Adventures of Pinocchio, by Jonathan Dove and Alastair Miles with Minnesota Opera; Casanova's Homecoming, by Dominick Argento with Minnesota Opera; The Fly, by Howard Shore and Henry David Hwang with Los Angeles Opera.
Other recent engagements include Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte with Intermountain Opera Bozeman; Sharpless in Madama Butterfly with Minnesota Opera; Tonio in I Pagliacci with Mill City Summer Opera; Copland's Old American Songs with Minnesota Orchestra; Carmina Burana with Minnesota Orchestra; and Emperor Overall in the critically acclaimed production of The Emperor of Atlantis with Boston Lyric Opera.
Active on the musical theatre stage, Wilkowske's performance in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris was called "chilling" and "deeply moving" by the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and his performance in the world premiere of Sleeping Beauty with the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati earned him a nomination for a Cincinanti Entertainment Award.
Wilkowske's escapades as opera's favorite barber are documented in his award-winning "A Year of Figaro" blog.