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 St. Petersburg, Parsifal in Nice and St. Petersburg, and Peter Grimes and Canio in I Pagliacci in Düsseldorf. Mr. Lehman's Heldentenor debut came merely 6 years ago as Parsifal with Los Angeles Opera. Since then he has also performed 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.
Mr. Lehman recently sang Siegmund in concert with Festspiele Baden-Baden, and then began his 2010/11 season as Tristan in Peter Sellars' The Tristan Project on tour with the London Philharmonia and Esa-Pekka Salonen. He then returned to Oslo for Alwa with Den Norske Opera and Ballet, and Tristan in concert with the Orchestra de Paris, conducted by Christopher Eschenbach. Upcoming engagements include returns to the Metropolitan Opera, Oslo, Dresden, and Düsseldorf. He will also make his debuts with Vienna Staatsoper, Teatro della Maestranza in Seville, Bayerische Staatsoper and Münchener Opern Festival. Future seasons will see role debuts as Otello 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 Violetta Urmana and René Pape, was recently released under the Mariinsky label.