Hailed by Opera News for his “handsome sound,” and described as a “standout” by the Wall Street Journal, tenor Derrek Stark is quickly establishing a reputation as an elegant and nuanced performer. Mr. Stark’s 2023 season began as he joined the roster of the Metropolitan Opera covering roles in Mozart’s Idomeneo and Verdi’s Don Carlos. He is delighted to perform again with Eugene Opera this season singing Rodolfo, and will also debut Pirelli in Sweeney Todd with Opera Tampa.  

This past season he was heard singing as Tamino in Die Zauberflöte with Eugene Opera, Alfredo in Die Fledermaus with Gulfshore Opera, Rinuccio in Tampa Opera’s Gianni Schicchi, and as the tenor soloist with the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra for performances of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.  

In 2020 Mr. Stark reprised the role of Rodolfo in La bohème with the Imperial Symphony Orchestra, made a role debut as Percy in Baltimore Concert Opera’s Anna Bolena. In 2019 Mr. Stark made his international debut with Opernhaus Zürich as the Italian Tenor in Der Rosenkavalier. His past role credits include: Giasone in Medea in Corinto, The Governor in Candide, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Arturo in La straniera, and Fenton in Falstaff. 

Mr. Stark won 2nd place in the Giulio Gari International Voice Competition, 3rd place in the Opera Columbus Cooper-Bing Competition, and recently received an encouragement award from the Gerda Lissner Foundation. He is a 2018 Sullivan Foundation Grant Winner and a Bel Canto Vocal Scholarship recipient.  

Derrek has worked as a young artist with Santa Fe Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Bel Canto at Caramoor. He holds a B.M. from Mansfield University, PA, and an M.M. from The Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University.