Thomas r. Beard, Jr.
Lyric-Dramatic Baritone
Lyric-Dramatic Baritone Thomas Beard is originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina. In 2003 Thomas became the only African-American male singer to be personally chosen by Maestro & Famous Tenor Placido Domingo to be a part of Washington National Opera's Placido Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program working directly under the Maestro's tutelage. Thomas remained as Artist in Residence until 2006.
He has performed as the Baritone for Orff's Carmina Burana, Händel's Messiah, Verdi's Missa da Requiem, the Fauré Requiem, the Ordering of Moses by Detts, Pergolesi's Magnificat, and The Seven Last Words of Christ by Dubois.
Mr. Beard made is his operatic début as the Bonze in the Municipal Opera Company of Baltimore's production of Madama Butterfly. Subsequently, he has appeared as Marcello in La Bohème, Papageno in The Magic Flute, Escamillo in Carmen, and in the title role of "Gianni Schicchi". As a member of The Washington Opera, he performed over 90 times, including in their tour of Japan.
He made his début with Pittsburgh Opera Theatre in the world premier of the Jazz-opera Just above my head. In 2009 Thomas returned to Opera theatre of Pittsburgh as "Gianni Schicchi".He also débuted with the International Opera of Rome as Colline (La Bohème) and Il Commendatore (Don Giovanni). In November of 2002, Mr. Beard made his John F. Kennedy Center début as Corporal Morrel in Carmen Jones staring Vanessa Williams and conducted by Placido Domingo. He recently sang his first Giorgio Germont in WNO's version of La Traviata directed by Marta Domingo.
In June of 2005, Mr. Beard débuted in the title role of Verdi's Rigoletto. In 2006 he toured Australia and New Zealand as Porgy in Porgy & Bess. In the summer of 2007, he toured throughout Italy, Spain and Germany where he again performed the tile role of Porgy. In 2008 Thomas made his debut with Cape Fear Regional Theatre as "Porgy" in there first Operatic production and with Acadiana symphony as "Escamillo" in Bizet's Carmen! In 2009 Thomas debuted with Union Avenue Opera in the role of "Count di Luna" in Verdi's "Il Trovatore" and with Annapolis Opera as "Tonio" in Leoncavalli's " I Pagliacci"! In 2010 he made his debut with the Virginia Consort as the baritone in Orff's "Carmina Burana". In 2010 he debuted with Dayton Opera as "Porgy" in Dayton Opera's 50th anniversary season opener, Porgy & Bess! Thomas was a part of history for Dayton Opera Headlining Porgy & Bess which sold more tickets than any opera in its 50 year history!
In May and July of 2011, Thomas was seen and heard performing on CNN and FOX as a Guest Soloist for the 2010 Veteran's day Celebration!
Most recently he performed a Patriot Day Celebration with the VA Medical Chorale & Symphony Orchestra where he performed with Gospel Great & Grammy winner Larnelle Harris and Metropolitan opera star Harolyn Blackwell. He also made is Debut with Queen Anne's Choral society performing as the Baritone in the Brahm's requiem and with The Easton Choral Society as the Baritone in the Seven Last Words of Christ!
In 2014, He also made his Riverbend Opera debut as Gerard in Andrea Chenier. In 2015, made his Debut with Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in Porgy & Bess.
While with the Washington National Opera, Mr. Beard has understudied/covered the roles of Gerard and Mathieu in Giordano's Andrea Chenier, and the Count di Luna in Il Trovatore, Senator Raitcliffe in the world premier of Democracy by Scott Wheeler and Scarpia in Puccini's Tosca.
Mr. Beard has performed for numerous dignitaries, including the funeral of the mother of Civil rights movement , Rosa Parks, U.S. Senators, Governors and Ambassadors in many concerts at Embassies and concert halls across the country. He was also invited to perform as special guest soloist by former First Lady Laura Bush at an invitiation only event at the White House.
Biography
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