Jason Stearns to Make Lyric Opera of Chicago Debut

On the heels of his late-notice appearance as Barnaba in La Gioconda at the Metropolitan Opera, Jason Stearns will make his Lyric Opera of Chicago debut later this month, singing the first four performances of Kurwenal in Tristan und Isolde (Jan. 27, 31, Feb. 4, and 8). 

Mr. Stearns replaces Finnish bass-baritone Juha Uusitalo, who has withdrawn from all performances of the role. According to a company spokesperson, the singer is recovering from a necessary surgery to remove a cyst in his head.

Tristan und Isolde also stars Deborah Voigt and Clifton Forbis in the title roles and is conducted by Lyric Opera Music Director Sir Andrew Davis. For more information on Jason Stearns, please visit http://www.funkhouserartists.com/Jason_Stearns/.

Stearns Steps in to Gioconda at the Met

Baritone Jason Stearns stepped in for ailing Carlo Guelfi at the Metropolitan Opera Saturday night, singing the lead baritone role of Barnaba. Mr. Stearns, who received final word about the cancellation at 7:10 PM, was received warmly by the in-house audience. Martin Bernheimer, of the Financial Times, said: 

"Barnaba, the villain with a heart of ice, should have been Carlo Guelfi, but illness forced the last-minute substitution of Jason Stearns. Jason Stearns? He had once served in the Met chorus and undertaken tiny solos. In spite of a few pardonably rough patches, one had to admire his firm, wide-ranging baritone, not to mention his steadfast bravado."

Upcoming engagements for Mr. Stearns include Tonio in Pagliacci in matinee performances at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Monterone in Rigoletto at the Met, and the title role in Rigoletto at Baltimore Opera. 

Jason Stearns Makes Role and Festival Debut in Savonlinna

On July 16, baritone Jason Stearns debuted to critical and audience acclaim at the Savonlinna Festival in Finland as Der fliegende Holländer in Wagner's opera of the same name. This engagement represents both a house debut and role debut for Mr. Stearns, who will next be seen at the Metropolitan Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago in the 2008-2009 season. Mr. Stearns will also sing the title role in Rigoletto with Toledo Opera in November 2008 and join Norwegian Opera in the fall of 2009 to sing Jack Rance in La fanciulla del West.