Baritone Markel Reed is a native of Charlotte, NC. He was seen recently in his charming portrayal as Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Virginia Opera. Within contemporary opera, Markel originated the role of Chester in the premiere of Terence Blanchard’s acclaimed opera Fire Shut up in my Bones with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, later following the production to the Metropolitan Opera where he covered Adult James in their historic season premiere. This year he continues with the roles of Jigger Craigin in Carousel at Boston Lyric Opera, Yussef Salaam in The Central Park Five with Detroit Opera and Marcello in La Bohème with Portland Opera.