| Thomas Goerz |
Introduction “Thomas Goerz, an old hand at the role of Leporello and in fine voice, was a constant delight. He delivered the catalogue aria with obvious relish for Donna Elivira’s distress. In Act II, when called upon to imitate his master, Goerz so accurately mimicked Okulitch’s voice the effect was uncanny.” Opera News, Christopher Hoile Biography
Dramatic integrity and vocal clarity are the enduring artistic hallmarks of performances by bass-baritone Thomas Goerz. His impressive variety of roles ranges from Leporello in DON GIOVANNI with Opera Ontario, to Owen Hart in the Canadian premiere of DEAD MAN WALKING with Calgary Opera. Of particular note this season is Mr. Goerz’s return to New York’s Metropolitan Opera as cover artist for Don Alfonso in COSI FAN TUTTE. He will be at the Vancouver Opera for the world premiere of LILLIAN ALLING and also will be heard there as Publio in LA CLEMENZA DI TITO. He is featured as Angelotti in TOSCA for Edmonton Opera, sings MESSIAH for Symphony Nova Scotia and Mozart’s Mass in C Minor with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. The 2009-2010 season included Opera Lyra Ottawa’s DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE as der Sprecher, Vancouver Opera’s NOZZE DI FIGARO as Bartolo, LA FILLE DU REGIMENT at the Met covering Sulpice, Handel’s ISRAEL IN EGYPT for the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and a tour of Southern Ontario as MESSIAH soloist with conductor Boris Brott. Recent additions to Mr. Goerz’s repertoire include Don Basilio in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA with Edmonton Opera, Frère Laurent in ROMÉO ET JULIETTE with Opera Ontario and Don Estoban in Zemlinski’s rarely heard DER ZWERG with the American Symphony Orchestra under Leon Botstein at the Bard Festival in New York. During the 2008-2009 season, he sang Quince in MIDSUMMER NIGHT”S DREAM and Benoit/Alcindoro in LA BOHEME for the Canadian Opera Company, debuted at the Wexford Festival in MINES OF SULPHUR and appeared in the World Premiere of INES for Queen of Puddings. Mr. Goerz has been heard as Sulpice in LA FILLE DU RÉGIMENT and Don Alfonso in COSÌ FAN TUTTE with Vancouver Opera, Nikitich in BORIS GODUNOV with the Canadian Opera Company, Raimondo in LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR with Pacific Opera Victoria, and Tod in DER KAISER VON ATLANTIS with both the Canadian Opera Company, and Edmonton Opera. Performances in the United States include Papageno in DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE and Masetto in DON GIOVANNI – both with Cincinnati Opera, Pooh Bah in THE MIKADO with Arizona Opera, the title role in THE MIKADO with Virginia Opera, Robin Oakapple in RUDDIGORE with Washington Opera, and Benoit/Alcindoro in LA BOHÈME with Glimmerglass Opera. An accomplished oratorio singer, Thomas has been featured with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir in Beethoven’s MISSA SOLEMNIS, the Mozart REQUIEM, and Mendelssohn’s ST. PAUL. He has sung Haydn’s DIE SCHÖPFUNG with the Taipei Symphony and with the Arcadia Chamber Orchestra at Izumi Hall in Osaka Japan. His repertoire includes Handel’s MESSIAH, Bach’s MASS IN B MINOR, JOHANNES PASSION (Christus & arias), WEIHNACHTSORATORIUM, and MAGNIFICAT, with groups such as the Vancouver Symphony, the Calgary Philharmonic, the Québec Symphony, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Vancouver Bach Choir, and the Grand Philharmonic Choir. Mr. Goerz has also performed with the Japan Philharmonic at the Takefu International Music Festival under Chosei Komatsu. He made his debut with the Costa Rica Symphony singing the Mozart REQUIEM and can be heard on NAXOS’ recording of Bach Cantatas for Advent. Several key roles at the Banff Summer Festival have marked Mr. Goerz’s continuing success and growth as a complete artist, starting with his personal favourite – Bottom in Britten’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM directed by the late Colin Graham, George III in EIGHT SONGS FOR A MAD KING by Maxwell Davies, and Ari Onassis in the Canadian premiere of JACKIE O directed by Nicholas Muni. Mr. Goerz’s range is further demonstrated in an extensive repertoire of operetta and musical theatre. With Vancouver Opera he has performed Mr. Peachum in Weill’s THREEPENNY OPERA directed by Morris Panych. His Gilbert & Sullivan roles now number 17 including Dick Deadeye in H.M.S. PINAFORE at Canada’s renowned Stratford Festival. Thomas is well remembered as the villainous Inspector Javert in the original Canadian cast of LES MISERABLES at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre. He fought many windmills as Don Quixote in MAN OF LA MANCHA with Theatre Aquarius, and toured to Singapore and Hong Kong as M. Firmin in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. August 2010
Full RepertoireOpera
Contemporary Opera
Concert
TRAINING & SCHOLARSHIPS Opera Diploma (Honours)
Voice Teachers Louis Quilico, Leopold Simoneau, Patricia Kern Professional Workshops
Awards
Operetta/Musical Theatre
Engaged By
Reviews“Thomas Goerz, an old hand at the role of Leporello and in fine voice, was a constant delight. He delivered the catalogue aria with obvious relish for Donna Elvira’s distress. In Act II, when called upon to imitate his master, Goerz so accurately mimicked Okulitch’s voice the effect was uncanny” Opera News, Christopher Hoile
“The nucleus of this production lies in the performances of Daniel Okulitch as Don Giovanni and Thomas Goerz as his trusty servant Leporello. The type of stage chemistry between Okulitch… and Kitchener native Goerz, is such a rare commodity in opera. In their staging, the all-important relationship between their characters is vividly depicted by substantial acting chops and vocal talent.” Kitchener Record – Daniel Ariartnam
“In terms of creating a character, bass-baritone Thomas Goerz nearly steals the show with an empathetic and humorous portrayal of Papageno. Goerz is saddled with the majority of the libretto’s comedy but he carries it off skillfully. He blends slapstick physical humor with striking vocal clarity and makes it look easy.” Cincinnati Opera’s MAGIC FLUTE. Cincinnati Enquirer - Kate Brauer
“A terrific casting choice was bass-baritone Thomas Goerz as Leporello.” (Opera Hamilton – DON GIOVANNI) Classical 96 FM – Paula Citron
“Tom Goerz delivered a striking cameo as Owen Hart.” Calgary Opera ‘DEAD MAN WALKING’ The Globe and Mail – Robert Everett-Green
“Baritone Thomas Goerz also has a flexible voice which easily navigated the runs and rumblings of ‘The trumpet shall sound’. Goerz’s authority is a pleasure to experience and his ability to sound out over brass and tympani was thrilling.” The Record (Kitchener-Waterloo) – Colleen Johnston
“Thomas Goerz almost aces the role of the kindly sergeant Sulpice despite his slight build; his instincts are good and his mellifluous bass-baritone is a lovely surprise in such a slender frame.” The Vancouver Courier – Louise Phillips
“…The grave but penetrating bass of Tom Goerz was consistently impressive.” Vancouver Symphony – Mahler Eighth The National Post – Brian Hunt
“Thomas Goerz…an absolutely wonderful Rossini bass voice. His phrasing was fantastic and he just rolled up and down the scale with a secure coloratura. This is a Don Pasquale, this is a Dr. Bartolo. It’s all there and he has a secure coloratura…he was absolutely sparkling, plus it’s an exciting voice and a big voice.” Opera in Concert’s ITALIAN GIRL IN ALGIERS Classical 96 FM- Paula Citron |