Gary Lehman
Tenor
Gary Lehman's phenomenal rise to international prominence as one of the world's premiere Heldentenors was ignited by his exciting 2008 Metropolitan Opera debut as Tristan in Tristan und Isolde. This important role debut opposite the Isolde of Deborah Voigt prompted The New York Times to rave, "Something of a savior has risen from the rubble." His return the following year as Siegmund in Die Walküre earned exceptionally high praise from Opera News, who wrote, "Chalk up an unqualified success, first, for tenor Gary Lehman... on this evidence, the singer's natural gifts are as arresting, and rare, as the suave way he deploys them. His physical bearing and rich vocal timbre were ideal for the role, as was his ability to shape an ardent 'Winterstürme' and to maintain expressivity and emotion." His most recent role debut at the Met was equally well-received, with The New York Post declaring, "Gary Lehman's tenor rang with confidence as the heartbroken Alwa" in Berg's Lulu. In the midst of these successes in New York, he has been garnering worldwide critical acclaim and audience enthusiasm in performances which include Samson in Samson et Dalila in St. Gallen, Tannhäuser in Oslo, Tristan in Leipzig and St. Petersburg, Russia, Parsifal in Nice and St. Petersburg, and Peter Grimes and Canio in I Pagliacci in Düsseldorf. Mr. Lehman's Heldentenor debut came merely 5 years ago as Parsifal with Los Angeles Opera, where he also recently performed the role of Stathis Borans in The Fly. Since then he has also performed the roles of Erik in Der Fliegende Holländer and Florestan in Fidelio. In this short time, he has been honored to work with many of the world's most important conductors, following the batons of James Levine, Daniel Barenboim, Valery Gergiev, James Conlon, Fabio Luisi, Philippe Auguin and Plácido Domingo.
This summer Mr. Lehman will sing Siegmund in concert with Festspiele Baden-Baden, then begin his 2010/11 season as Tristan in Peter Sellars' The Tristan Project on tour with the London Philharmonia and Esa-Pekka Salonen. Also this season, he returns to Oslo for Alwa with Den Norske Opera and Ballet, Parsifal in Hamburg, Tristan in Lyon and in concert with the Orchestra de Paris, conducted by Christopher Eschenbach, and a special Gala performance of Tannhäuser with Deutsche Oper Berlin. Upcoming engagements include returns to Oslo, St. Gallen, Düsseldorf and the Metropolitan Opera, in addition to debuts with Vienna Staatsoper, Opera Australia, Teatro della Maestranza in Seville, Bayerische Staatsoper and Münchener Opern Festival. Future seasons will see role debuts in Wagner's Ring Cycle as Siegfried in both Siegfried and Götterdämmerung, Othello, Faust in La Damnation de Faust, and the Tambourmajor in Wozzeck.
Mr. Lehman received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University and continued his studies at Indiana University. He then appeared in more than 90 performances with the Lyric Opera of Chicago as a member of the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists, and spent the early years of his career performing leading baritone roles for opera companies throughout North America.
Mr. Lehman's first recording as Parsifal, a collaboration with Valery Gergiev, featuring Violeta Urmana and René Pape is soon to be released on the Mariinsky label.