Introduction

The chief vocal honors Wednesday went to David Trudgen as Medoro. Trudgen could be the next generation’s answer to David Daniels. He sang with a beautiful legato, fine musicality and uncommon expressive conviction.

From the “Chicago Tribune” – John von Rhein

Biography

Canadian counter-tenor, David Trudgen, was recently called “the next generation’s answer to David Daniels” according to the Chicago Tribune. This high praise was from his recent appearance as Medoro in Chicago Opera Theater’s production of Handel’s ORLANDO, under the direction of Raymond Leppard. Michigan District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions winner for 2006 and 2008, Mr. Trudgen sang the title role of Cesare in the University of Oklahoma’s production of GIULIO CESARE. He also appeared at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. where he sang scenes from L’INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA by Monteverdi for the Kennedy Center Conservatory Project.

A tall commanding figure on the stage, he made his Wexford Festival and Opera Theatre of St. Louis debuts in the world premiere of THE GOLDEN TICKET this season. Other debuts for 2010-2011 include Nerone in AGRIPPINA for Boston Lyric Opera, Dardano in AMADIGI DI GAULA for Central City Opera, and he covers the role of Orfeo in the Canadian Opera Company’s ORFEO ET EURIDICE. He was a recitalist for the 2010 Elora Festival and will be soloist in MESSIAH for the Edmonton Symphony and Symphony Nova Scotia. Last season, his schedule included the title role in GIULIO CESARE for Opera in Concert, MESSIAHs for the Newfoundland Symphony, Handel’s ISRAEL IN EGYPT with Noel Edison and the Mendelssohn Choir and CARMINA BURANA for the Victoria Symphony.

Mr. Trudgen is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance. During his two years at the University of Michigan, he appeared as Nerone in the School of Music’s production of L’INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA, and also sang the role of Orfeo in Gluck’s ORFEO ED EURIDICE in the opera scenes program. Mr. Trudgen was named the Earl V. Moore Award recipient for 2006 and has had the great honor to perform for David Daniels, Martina Arroyo, Colin Graham, Shirley Verrett and Alan Curtis.

August 2010

Full Repertoire

Opera

Concert/Oratorio

Engaged By

Boston Lyric Opera
Canadian Opera Company
Chicago Opera Theater
Edmonton Symphony
Elora Festival
Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Pacific Opera Victoria
Symphony Nova Scotia
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
Victoria Symphony
Wexford Festival

Reviews

The chief vocal honors Wednesday went to David Trudgen as Medoro. Trudgen could be the next generation’s answer to David Daniels. He sang with a beautiful legato, fine musicality and uncommon expressive conviction.

From the “Chicago Tribune” – John von Rhein

The vocal laurels, however, were taken by David Trudgen as Medoro for his melting “Verdi allori”

From “Opera News”

As Medoro, countertenor David Trudgen, who seemed to be channeling David Daniels, complete with two-day-old beard, displayed a robust, colourful sound. His eloquent Act II aria, “Verdi allori”, was one of the more musically convincing moments of the show.

From the “Wall Street Journal”

I just graduated a countertenor last semester, who is just as phenomenal as David, David Trudgen is his name, a phenomenal voice. It’s bigger in some respects than David’s, but he has the ability to just pare it down to nothing. He sang—I don’t know if you saw the Poppea production that we gave here last year—he was one of the Nerones, a big fellow, of surpassing musicality, gorgeous voice, gorgeous voice. And he can sing a bit higher than David; he sings a high C that just peals the paint.

From “Living Music” University of Michigan School of Music American Music Institute 2006

…Trudgen had a commanding, but not over-exaggerated stage presence as you sometimes find in opera. You can't help but hate (Trudgen) a little for the narcissism portrayed.

From “The Norman Transcript” 2007

…This wonderfully restored building (Detroit Opera House) was the site of our Met auditions today. My fellow jurors were Mark Graf and Diane Zola. Diane is Artistic Administrator of the Houston Grand Opera and one of the most influential and capable people in the US in the area of the advanced development and training of opera singers. She ran the Houston Studio program brilliantly for the last 5 years and no doubt still keeps an eagle eye on it while she copes with her now wider responsibilities. She is always a pleasure to be with so we had a lot of fun today. And we had a pretty good group - 30 in all as it turned out. Amongst them was that rarity, a truly remarkable Counter Tenor (David Trudgen), a 24 year old from the exceptional school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor

From “Life as a General Director of COT” by Brian Dickie