Acclaimed Baritone Steps into Role of Rigoletto at the Last Minute

November 6, 2008

Toledo, OH – Baritone Stephen Kechulius arrived in Toledo yesterday to take over the title role in Toledo Opera’s production of Rigoletto after the artist originally cast for the role was taken ill. In the spirit of “the show must go on,” Toledo Opera’s General and Artistic Director, Renay Conlin, acted quickly, as opening night is scheduled for this Saturday night November 8th at the Valentine Theatre. Mr. Kechulius will also appear as Rigoletto in subsequent performances on Friday night, November 14th and Sunday afternoon, November 16th.

Toledo Opera is thrilled that Mr. Kechulius was able to answer the last minute call to appear in Toledo. He is recognized world-wide for his portrayal of Rigoletto, having appeared in ten productions of the opera, most recently with Seattle Opera and Fort Worth Opera. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer had this to say about his performance there: “Stephen Kechulius, another debut as Rigoletto yesterday, was superb – dramatically forceful and vocally rich.”

Mr. Kechulius made his New York City Opera debut singing Baron Scarpia in Tosca, a role that he has also performed with Arizona Opera, Utah Opera, Nashville Opera and the English National Opera, where he was declared “an extremely impressive Scarpia” by The Financial Times. He returned to New York City Opera to sing the roles of Leonidas in Mark Adamo's Lysistrata and his first performances of Jack Rance in La fanciulla del West.