ABOUT THE CURATOR OF THIS CONCERT - CARL DUPONT
Highly accomplished bass-baritone, Carl DuPont, is a vocalist equally engaged in performing, teaching, and research. Major operatic credits include productions at Opera Columbus, The InSeries, The Glimmerglass Festival, Opera Carolina, Toledo Opera, Opera Saratoga, Sarasota Opera, Cedar Rapids Opera, El Palacio de Bellas Artes, Opera Company of Brooklyn, and Leipzig Opera. His world premieres include the title character in Dennis Rodman in North Korea as well as Why Peace is Always a Good Idea at Carnegie Hall under the baton of composer Jacqueline Hairston. Dr. DuPont has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras in performances across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, under the batons of Riccardo Muti, Kurt Masur, and Zubin Mehta.
His particular passion is sharing the wealth of songs by Black composers. His solo debut album of these works, entitled The Reaction was recently released on Albany Records. The American Record Guide called it “a special album that brings deserved attention to these fine composers. If you enjoy art song, this is not something to miss.” He has presented recitals internationally in Rome and Salzburg, and at multiple universities across the United States.
Dr. DuPont’s scholarly interest focuses on Transformative Inclusion in higher music education, specifically the contributions of Black musicians, composers, and educators to the discipline. Most recently his article, “Make the Door Open: Groundbreaking African American Teachers of Singing” appeared in the Voice and Speech Review. He has presented original research at conferences in Edinburgh, Stockholm, Vancouver, Orlando, and Indianapolis. He also co-authored “The Economic Impact of Vocal Attrition in Public School Teachers in Miami-Dade County” for The Laryngoscope with colleagues from the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. He was recognized as one of Diverse Magazine’s 2018 Emerging Scholars.
As an Assistant Professor of Voice on the faculty of The Peabody Conservatory, he teaches voice and a survey course on Art Song by African American Composers. His own studies began at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, and Indiana University, where he earned the distinctive Performers’ Certificate at both institutions coupled with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees respectively. He was then awarded the highly sought-after University of Miami Fellowship and completed a doctorate in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance at The Frost School of Music under the tutelage of bass Kevin Short.
ABOUT OPERA SARATOGA
Opera Saratoga, formerly known as Lake George Opera, began with a production of Die Fledermaus at the Diamond Point Theatre on July 5, 1962, playing to an audience of 230. The Company now calls Saratoga Springs home and performs for more than 25,000 people annually. Opera Saratoga celebrates its 60th Anniversary this season. The company serves the communities of Saratoga Springs, the Lower Adirondack and New York State Capital areas by providing access to world-class opera through the production of an annual Summer Festival, as well as year-round activities including extensive educational programs, mentorship of emerging operatic artists, and unique opportunities for the public to experience opera in both our home theater and non-traditional venues that leverage and embrace the unique cultural, historic, and natural resources of the area. To date, the company has performed 104 different fully staged works by 65 different composers, including 42 works by American composers and 14 premiere productions. In 2014, the Board of Directors appointed Lawrence Edelson Opera Saratoga’s Artistic and General Director. Edelson’s leadership has marked a new chapter in the company’s history, with increased emphasis on community partnerships throughout the year, diversification of the company’s repertoire, and a reaffirmed commitment to both the presentation of American opera and the mentorship of emerging artists as core activities in the company’s programs each season. For more information, visit www.operasaratoga.org