Robert Balonek, baritone, is thrilled to sing with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra again! This season, he has performed the title role in The Flying Dutchman with West Bay Opera, and Figaro in Mendocino Music Fest's Barber of Seville, and father Capulet in Opera San Jose's Roméo Et Juliette.  Balonek will be performing one performance as Rigoletto with Opera San Jose, as well as Scarpia in Tosca with Opera Modesto.

A native of Rochester, New York, Balonek recently sang the role of Angelotti (Tosca) with Opera San Jose while covering Scarpia.  Balonek has also covered the roles of Ford (Falstaff) and Count (Le Nozze di Figaro) for Opera San Jose, as well as performing the role of Marcello (La Bohéme) for Opera Modesto.  Recent title roles include Rigoletto (Boheme opera of NJ), Barbiere di Siviglia (Opera on the James and Boston Midsummer Opera), Owen Wingrave (Little Opera Theater of NY), Handel's Saul (Canterbury Choral Society), Le Nozze di Figaro (Opera on the James and Chelsea Opera), and Gianni Schicchi (PAC at Purchase).  World premieres include Ernesto (Ricker Ian Gordon's Garden of the Finzi Contini) with NYC Opera, Jaap (Gerald Choen's Steal a Pencil for me), and Father Francis (Raphaël Lucas' Confession).  Recordings include Prospero (Lee Hoiby's Tempest) and Father Francis (Raphaël Lucas' Confession) for Albany Records.

Balonek has also performed a wide variety of oratorios such as the title role in Handel's Saul, and the bass-baritone soloist for Haydn Creation Mass, Bach St. Matthew Passion, as well as many Messiahs and Requiems.