Hailed by Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times as “vocally robust” and “lyrically malevolent,” American bass-baritone Joseph Barron is sought after for his portrayals in both dramatic and comedic repertoire. Last season, Mr. Barron returned to San Francisco Opera to cover King Heinrich in Lohengrin, The Metropolitan Opera to cover Melitone in La forza del destino, and he joined Houston Symphony to sing the Fifth Jew in Salome. This season, he returns to The Met to cover Monterone in Rigoletto and the First Nazarene in Salome. He also joins Virginia Opera to sing Alfonso in Così fan tutte.

Recently, Mr. Barron returned to The Metropolitan Opera to sing Monterone in Rigoletto and cover Swallow in Peter Grimes. He débuted with Dallas Opera and The Atlanta Opera as Donner in Das Rheingold and the Cleveland Orchestra as Happy in La fanciulla del West. He also sang Ramfis in Aida with Finger Lakes Opera.

Mr. Barron has previously joined The Metropolitan Opera for productions of Don Giovanni, Le nozze di Figaro, Rigoletto, La fanciulla del West, Salome, Tannhäuser, The Nose, Boris Godunov, Turandot, and The Exterminating Angel. He appeared with San Francisco Opera in the world premiere of The Gospel of Mary Magdalene and covered Leporello in Don Giovanni. He has also performed Leporello in Don Giovanni with Opera Hong Kong, Opera Philadelphia, Arizona Opera, and New Orleans. Other recent débuts include Don Pizarro in Fidelio with Opera North Carolina and the Princeton Festival, Kaspar in Der Freischütz at Virginia Opera, and in the title role of Le nozze di Figaro at Opera Carolina and Opera Grand Rapids.