Roy Stevens is a Modesto native and graduate of both Paradise Elementary School and Modesto High School. He has been the General Director of Opera Modesto since 2018. Since his professional debut in Italy in 1987, his career as an international opera singer has taken him around the world for starring engagements with leading opera companies and symphonies in over 20 countries, on 5 continents, and singing in 14 languages; from the national theaters of Albania, Guatemala, Colombia and Taiwan, to the Dallas Opera, Metropolitan Opera, Dresden Semperoper, Oper Frankfurt, Barcelona’s Liceu, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon and Milano’s famed Teatro Alla Scala. 

Roy and his wife, Annalisa Winberg (Opera Modesto Artistic Director & international opera singer), are also very proud of their work as inspirational performing arts/opera-based educators through their AmazingVox School Residencies. They have had the privilege to touch the educational lives of 500,000+ young Americans in California and across the country. These experiences have profoundly impacted the way they work with Central Valley youth and young artists through the training, educational and nationally unique literacy programs of Opera Modesto. 

Roy’s international operatic career has been very unusual, performing roles in nearly every male vocal category (except true Bass and Counter Tenor); Basso Buffo, Bass-Baritone, Heldenbaritone, Verdi Baritone, Heldentenor, Lyric Tenor, and Musical Theater/Pop Style Baritone & Tenor. He considers this to be fun! 

In 1995, Annalisa and Roy were the featured soloists in a wonderful Modesto Symphony Orchestra & Chorus concert of opera highlights. Roy is delighted to return to MSO as Narrator, just a few years later. This occasion should also mark, for the public, the genuine atmosphere of friendly collaboration that currently exists between Central Valley arts organizations…something to be truly treasured!