British tenor David Butt Philip presented a masterclass to music students on Thursday, Nov. 11, and participated in an informal Q&A session with students about the opera industry on Friday, Nov. 12, in Ruebush Hall, Room 128. His most recent credits include “Boris Godunov” at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and as a soloist in “Come Home: A Celebration of Return” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
One of the most exciting tenors Britain has to offer today, Butt Philip is quickly becoming a firm favorite on the major international stages. An alumnus of the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme, his recent debuts in roles such as the title role in “Der Zwerg” at Deutsche Oper Berlin, Florestan in “Fidelio” at Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and Bacchus in “Ariadne auf Naxos” at the Edinburgh International Festival, have earned him major critical and public acclaim.
This season Butt Philip makes a series of highly anticipated company debuts, including the Metropolitan Opera with a double appearance as Grigory Boris Godunuv and in the American premiere of Brett Dean’s “Hamlet as Laertes;” at Washington National Opera with a series of celebratory concerts conducted by Evan Rogister, which mark the re-opening of the Kennedy Center; and finally an eagerly awaited debut with the Salzburg Festival. Butt Philip also makes a double appearance at the Deutsche Oper Berlin in the title role of the production which launched his international career, “Der Zwerg,” and with a much-anticipated role debut as Lohengrin. On the concert platform, Butt Philip joins Noord Nederlands Orkest for Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde;” Orchestre de l’Opéra de Rouen Normandie for Beethoven’s “Missa Solemnis;” and makes an appearance with The Hallé and Sir Mark Elder.
Butt Philip’s visit was hosted by Director and Associate Professor of Opera Ella Marchment, B.M.
