Brian Jagde
Heralded internationally as an artist with »a remarkable future« (»Opera World«), American tenor Brian Jagde brings his dynamic vocalism and captivating stage presence to several of opera’s most iconic roles in the 2020/21 season. Jagde sang at the San Francisco Opera Cavaradossi in a new production of Puccini’s »Tosca«: »… a big-voiced Cavaradossi, producing firm, heroic sound throughout. His impassioned performance of the Act III aria, »E lucevan le stelle,« was a highlight of the evening« (»Mercury News«). He returned to London’s Royal Opera House as Don José in Bizet’s »Carmen«, followed by performances as Calaf in a new production of Puccini’s »Turandot« at Palermo’s Teatro Massimo. He debuted as Turiddu in Mascagni's »Cavalleria rusticana« and Luigi in Puccini's »Il tabarro« in concert with the Dresdner Philharmonie, captured for a future release on the Pentatone label. Jagde sang his first Enzo Grimaldi in Ponchielli's »La Gioconda« for his premiere performances at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, followed by a critically acclaimed debut at the Opéra national de Paris as Don Alvaro in Verdi's epic »La forza del destino«, where he was lauded as »a revelation« (Ôlyrix). Brian began the 2017/18 season in his role debut as Calaf in »Turandot« at San Francisco Opera: »Jagde has clearly arrived as a world-class heroic tenor in this role debut ... His »Nessun dorma« showed a huge breadth of space, moving seamlessly from an intimate whisper to a hall-filling embrace … his highs beautifully rode the crest of the orchestral wave« (»Parterre«). He debuted at Opernhaus Zürich as Cavaradossi (»Tosca«) and also sang the role at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Jagde then made his first appearance at the Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam as the tenor soloist for a live radio broadcast performance of Verdi's »Requiem«. Mr. Jagde made a spectacular debut as Der Fremde in a new Christof Loy production of Korngold's rarely performed »Das Wunder der Heliane« at Deutsche Oper Berlin, released on DVD and Blu-ray by Naxos. In May 2018 he made his house debut at Seattle Opera as Radamès in »Aida«. He returned to Europe to sing Don José in »Carmen«, marking his house debuts at the Bolshoi Theatre and the Arena di Verona, the latter being a new production to open the Arena's season. Jagde then starred as Cavaradossi for his return to the Teatro di San Carlo. Recent seasons have featured other important debuts, including Maurizio (»Adriana Lecouvreur«) at the Royal Opera House; Radamès in a new production of »Aida« at San Francisco Opera; and Froh (»Das Rheingold«) in his first appearance with the New York Philharmonic. House debuts have included Pinkerton (»Madama Butterfly«) at the Teatro Massimo, Washington National Opera, and Staatsoper Hamburg; Don José (»Carmen«) in a new production at the Teatro San Carlo and the Bayerische Staatsoper; Houston Grand Opera as the Prince (»Rusalka«); Macduff (»Macbeth«) at the Teatro Real; Cavaradossi (»Tosca«) at Oper Stuttgart and Bacchus (»Ariadne auf Naxos«) at Palm Beach Opera. In the spring of 2017, Jagde presented a concert in Davis, CA with soprano Joyce El-Khoury and pianist Robert Mollicone. In addition to his stage career, Mr. Jagde advocates and volunteers for several arts education organizations and schools in New York City and across the US. He is an Ambassador for Opera for Peace, an international non-profit organization promoting equality, diversity, and social justice through artistic collaboration, educational partnerships, and cultural exchanges. Jagde has received numerous accolades, including top prize at the Loren L. Zachary Competition (2014) and second prize in the Operalia Competition (2012). Jagde won additional honors at Operalia for his interpretations of Wagner-Strauss repertoire, reeiving the Birgit Nilsson Prize. He is a graduate of San Francisco Opera’s Adler and Merola Programs. Brian Jagde was born and raised in New York, where he currently resides.
Performances with Brian Jagde