Ross Benoliel
Baritone
New England Finalist, 2004

Ross Benoliel is a graduate of the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in
Philadelphia. During his four years of study, he performed the roles of Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, Schaunard in La Bohème, Figaro in II Barbiere di Siviglia, Valentin in Faust, and premiered the role of the Reverend John Wilson in Margaret Garwood's The Scarlet Letter. His repertoire also includes Aeneas in Dido and Aeneas, Belcore in L 'Elisir d 'Amore, Marcello in La Bohème, the High Priest in Semele, the Speaker in Die Zauberflöte, Pinellino in Gianni Schicchi, and Colonel Calverly in Patience. In addition to performing scenes from Don Carlo, Mr. Benoliel covered the role of Belcore with the Pine Mountain Music Festival. With the Lake George Opera Festival, he performed the role of Bill Bobstay in HMS. Pinafore. He also sang the role of Perückenmacher and covered Harlekin in Ariadne auf Naxos for Lake George. He has been a featured recitalist with both Ocean City Pops and New Rochelle Opera.

In June, Mr. Benoliel will sing the role of Ben in Menotti's The Telephone for New Rochelle Opera, reprising it in July in Rome for his European debut. Portland Opera, Oregon, has cast him as Prince Yamadori in Madama Butterfly for February 2005.

Mr. Benoliel is a finalist of the 2004 New England Regionals of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, a 2003 recipient of an encouragement award from the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation, a 2000 national semifinalist of the MacAllister Awards for Opera Singers and a 1998 finalist of the Friedrich Schorr Memorial Prize in Voice. He holds a bachelor of music degree in vocal performance from the University of Michigan.

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