Bass-Baritone Robert Violette presents an impressive list of operatic and
concert performances acquired in a career that has taken him around the world
and earned him the title “Cavalleri” at ceremonies conducted by the Knights of
Malta in Assisi, Italy. Applauded for his characterization, comic timing,
polished stage presence and strong vocal ability. His many opera performances
include appearances as Wotan in Die Walkyre and the Wonderer in
Das Rheingold, Oreste in Elektra, Rocco in
Fidelio, Scarpia in Tosca, Mephistopheles in
Faust, Pagano in
I Lombardi,
the Gran Sacerdotte in
Nabucco,
Baron Von Ochs in Der
Rosenkavalier,
the title role in Le
Nozze di Figaro,
both Marcello and Colline in
La Boheme
and Sharpless in Madame
Butterfly
for opera companies in New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Palm Beach and
Jacksonville. He sang the role of the Pope in the North American premiere of
Francesco Santelli’s opera on the life of Francis of Assisi: Il Poverello.
National Public Radio recorded Sir Robert’s critically acclaimed performance
of La Serva Padrona
in Cincinnati and broadcast it as part of "NPR's World of Opera."
Sir Robert Violette’s name appears on the roster of The
Metropolitan Opera Guild, Opera Forum and the former Opera Ensemble of New York
and Manhattan Opera. As winner of the American Opera Auditions, Robert was
interviewed and sang on the New York Times radio station WQXR.
Equally well known for his appearances in concert and oratorio works, Sir Robert
Violette has appeared with orchestras in New York City, Los Angeles, New
Orleans, Miami, Palm Beach, Trenton and Assisi, Italy. His Carnegie Hall debut
under the baton of Boris Brott earned him much deserved attention.
Sir Robert’s schedule is further augmented by his widely
acclaimed secular and sacred song recitals.
He is a member of the Board of Directors for such organizations as “The
Assisi Music Festival” and Philadelphia’s “The Singers’ Network.” As an
educator, he is frequently called upon to offer professional development
workshops for music faculties and vocal clinics for high school choruses.