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Photo: Mary Jo Iacovino |
With a voice described as a "rich lyric tenor" (Wisconsin State Journal), Steven Ebel continues to garner critical and popular accolades for his work in concert, recital and in opera. He has sung leading roles in Bizet's Dr. Miracle and Orpheus in the Underworld, Lucia di Lammermoor, Iolanthe, and The Mikado. He also toured in Opera for the Young's production of Rusalka, A Mermaid's Tale as the Prince.
In 2007, Mr. Ebel performed as soloist in Americans in Paris - Songs by American Students of Nadia Boulanger and 21st Century Shakespeare Chamber Music inspired by the Bard for the New Millenium; on the opera stage, he created the role of Wolf in the world premiere of Louis Karchin's Romulus all in New York. He sings his first Peter Quint (Turn of the Screw) in his company début with Opera Cleveland in July.
An exceptionally gifted composer, Mr. Ebel's latest work, Mogens, will be premiered in the coming season.
Recently, he débuted with OperaDelaware as Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance and participated in the prestigious Tanglewood Music Festival under a fellowship grant. He was also heard in the title role of Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito with New York Opera Forum and the New York Opera Studio, as Donald in Douglas Moore's Gallantry with Cantiamo Opera and Il postiglione in Puccini's La Fanciulla del West at New York City Opera.
An avid recitalist Mr. Ebel performed A Tenor's Songbook featuring works of Barber and Schumann in January 2005 in New York and presented a superb all Benjamin Britten program in September. This recital, entitled Sonnets and Songs of the Isles featured the Michelangelo Sonnets, On this Island and folk song arrangements.
While in Madison, he performed as tenor soloist with the University Choral Union, Concert Choirs and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Ebel presented several highly regarded recitals during this time including performances of Dichterliebe and A Timbered Choir, a fourteen song cycle to the poems of Wendell Berry.
A versatile performer, he has sung the role of Archie in the musical The Secret Garden and the role of John Savage in the premier of the musical Brave New World. Now living in New York, Mr. Ebel has performed with the Pacific Opera Ensemble and Lifebeat - The Music Industry Fights AIDS.
Mr. Ebel's talent has been recognized with several honors by numerous distinguished organizations including the Concours Musical International de Montréal, Joy of Singing Song Salon Competition, New York Oratorio Society Solo Competition, the Five Towns Young Musician's Competition, and the Wisconsin District Metropolitan Opera Auditions.
| As Jimmy Mahoney in Weill's The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (Tanglewood Music Festival): |
"Tenor Steven Ebel showed promise as Jimmy." |
Financial Times - Aug 12, 2008 |
"As Jenny and Jimmy, Rebecca Jo Loeb and Steven Ebel are the stars of the show. She uses her Broadway voice and wiles to deadly - really for Jimmy - effect, and he is a proto-Peter Grimes, a pitiful, lumbering misfit in a world that will never understand. His clarion tenor voice even sounds like a Grimes'." |
Andrew L. Pincus - The Boston Globe - Aug 11, 2008 |
"Steven Ebel was a sweet-toned Jimmy Mahoney." |
Jeremy Eichler - The Boston Globe - Aug 11, 2008 |
| As Soloist in Alla Borzova's Merry Hour: |
"Alla Borzova's 'Merry Hour,' in its premiere, featured verses by the Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov, set in an expressive polyglot style. Tenor Steven Ebel conveyed much through his tone, countenance and physical gestures." |
Steve Smith - New York Times - Feb 21, 2008 |
| In Recital with pianist Wilson Southerland: (Grand Montgomery Chamber Music Series) |
"Ebel's strong and versatile voice, dramatic presence and masterful interpretations of the music and poetry made the afternoon an outstanding event (the 98th) in this rewarding series. Without a doubt, Ebel and Southerland are a talented team with lots of promise in their individual fields." |
James F. Cotter - The Times Herald Record - Jan 8, 2008 |
| Mr. Ebel as Peter Quint in Britten's Turn of the Screw: (with Opera Cleveland) |
"Steven Ebel's tenor possesses the properly English timbre that is ideal for Peter Quint. Ebel dominated the scene by his very presence, his height being a great advantage, and used his open, gentle face to threaten his victims chillingly." |
Alan Montgomery - Opera News - Oct 2007 |
Spirit is willing and able in fine 'Turn of the Screw' "Steven Ebel, with red locks providing virtually the only contrast from the overall black and white, makes a toweringly sinister Quint, the dead valet whose apparent indiscretions with both genders propel much of the action. Ebel, in the role created by Britten's partner, Peter Pears, sings Quint's music with insinuating urgency." |
Donald Rosenberg - Plain Dealer Music Critic - July 13, 2007 |
Real Phantoms of the Opera Opera Cleveland's Musical Ghost Story "Carrot-topped and towering, tenor Steven Ebel's Quint is long on vocal solidity." |
James Damico - Free Times A & E - July 18, 2007 |
"Steven Ebel as Peter Quint (and doubling as the handsome guardian) allows his lyric tenor a seductive energy." |
Laura Kennelly - Cool Cleveland - July 11, 2007 |
| Winner of Second Prize in the Concours International Musical de Montréal: |
"Former Metropolitan Opera baritone Sherrill Milnes had a high opinion of second-prize finisher Steven Ebel, an American tenor who programmed selections from Britten's Serenade. 'Probably better than Peter Pears,' Milnes said, referring to the composer's longtime companion and official interpreter." |
Arthur Kaptainis - The Gazette - June 9, 2007 |
| As Wolf in Karchin's Romulus: (Presented by Works and Process at The Guggenheim Museum) |
"The philosopher Wolf, portrayed by Steven Ebel, tenor, delivered more flowing lines. All of these performers sang excellently, especially Mr. Ebel, their clear enunciation a particular boon." |
Arthur Kaptainis - The Gazette |
"Ebel's clear, strong, sweet voice was also heard to advantage in the American Opera Projects production at the Guggenheim of Louis Karchin's Romulus, after the 1854 farce by Dumas père." |
New Music Connoisseur - Jan 2008 |
As Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance: |
"Tuneful 'Pirates' is delightfully silly" Ebel's clear and strong singing and lanky frame create a fine comic hero in Frederic." |
The News Journal - March 2006 |
As Nanki-Poo in The Mikado: |
"A rich lyric tenor." "The musical theater styles were stunningly delivered by Shanna Lesniak, Nicole Pantos, Dennis Blackwell and Steven Ebel." |
Wisconsin State Journal - 2003 |
A Slice of Life - A Recital of Contemporary American Song: |
"There were also beautiful performances by Rita Litchfield, Dennis Blackwell and Steven Ebel of interesting works with elegant, sculptured vocal lines by Libby Larson." |
Kenneth Cooper - 2005 |
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Steven Ebel at the Concours International Musical de Montréal Semis (click picture to view) | ||
Jimmy Mahoney | The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny | BSO/Tanglewood | |
Tamino | The Magic Flute (role debut) | Cleveland Institute of Music | |
Frank Olson | Man: Biology of a Fall | Kumble Theater (Brooklyn, NY) | |
Jaquino | Fidelio | Empire Opera (NYC) | |
Wolf | Louis Karchin's Romulus | Works and Process at The Guggenheim | |
Frederick | Pirates of Penzance | OperaDelaware (role and company débuts) | |
Il Postiglione | La Fanciulla del West | New York City Opera | |
Tito | La Clemenza di Tito | New York Opera Studio | |
Tito | La Clemenza di Tito | New York Opera Forum | |
The Prince | Rusalka | Opera For The Young (tour) | |
Orpheus | Orpheus in the Underworld | UW-Madison Opera | |
Nanki-Poo | Mikado | University Theatre (Madison, WI) | |
Donald | Gallantry | Cantiamo Opera Theater | |
Nanki-Poo/ensemble | Roses and Wine (review) | Savoyards, Ltd. | |
Lord Tollollar | Iolanthe | Savoyards, Ltd. | |
Arturo | Lucia Di Lammermoor | UW-Madison Opera | |
Dr. Miracle | Dr. Miracle | UW-Madison Opera | |
Lead Ensemble | The Merry Widow | Music By The Lake (Aurora Univ.) | |
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Scenes: | Alfredo, Faust, Belmonte, Ottavio, Des Grieux, Fritz, Paul (Die Tode Stadt) | ||
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Steven Ebel (left) as Wolf in Romulus by Louis Karchin | |
Archibald Craven | The Secret Garden | C.P.A. Jefferson, WI |
John Savage | Brave New World (premiere) | UW - Madison |
The Peace of Wild Things | New Music New York Festival Season |
A Heine Liederabend - SOLO RECITAL | Grand Montgomery Chamber Music Series - Wesley Hall, Montgomery, NY |
New Works | De Capo Chamber Players - Moscow and St. Petersburg |
Shakespeare Songs | Joy of Singing at Lincoln Center |
Sonnets & Songs of the Isles - All Britten program | Community Church of New York |
Slice of Life | Milbank Chapel, Columbia Univ. |
Oratorio Society of NY Competition Finals | Weill Hall in Carnegie Hall |
The Music of William Maselli | Weill Hall in Carnegie Hall |
A Tenor's Song Book (Full length recital) | Community Church of New York |
An Evening of Love Songs (Full length recital) | C.P.A. Jefferson, WI |
Jeffrey Sykes and Friends | Sunday Afternoon Live - Wisconsin Public Radio |
Excerpt from The Creation | Madison Symphony Orchestra |
Israel in Egypt - Tenor Soloist | UW-Choral Union |
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Tenor Steven Ebel as Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance | |
| Opera & Operetta | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Barber | Vanessa | Anatole | 3 |
| Bernstein | Candide | Candide | 3 |
| Bizet | Dr. Miracle | Dr. Miracle | 1 |
| Britten | Albert Herring | Albert | 3 |
Turn of the Screw | Peter Quint | 1 | |
| Floyd | Of mice and men | Lenny | 3 |
Susannah | Sam | 3 | |
| Moore | Gallantry | Donald | 1 |
| Mozart | Bastien und Bastienne | Bastien | 2 |
La clemenza di Tito | Tito | 1 | |
Così fan tutte | Ferrando | 3 | |
Don Giovanni | Don Ottavio | 2 | |
Idomeneo | Idomeneo | 3 | |
Die Zauberflötte | Tamino | 3 | |
| Offenbach | Orpheus | Orpheus | 1 |
| Puccini | La Bohème | Rodolfo | 2 |
| Verdi | La Traviata | Alfredo | 2 |
| Weil | Street Scene | Sam | 2 |
| Operetta | |||
| Lehar | The Merry Widow | Camille | 3 |
| Sullivan | HMS Pinafore | Ralph | 2 |
Iolanthe | Lord Tollollar | 1 | |
Mikado | Nanki-Poo | 1 | |
The Pirates of Penzance | Frederick | 1 | |
Yeoman | Fairfax | 2 | |
| Musicals | |||
| Arlen | Wizard of Oz | Tinman | 1 |
| Bock | She Loves me | George | 1 |
| Rodgers | Cinderella | The Prince | 3 |
| South Pacific | Lt. Cable | 3 | |
| Simon | The Secret Garden | Archie | 1 |
| Sondheim | A Little Night Music | Frederick | 3 |
| Into The Woods | Rapunzel's Prince | 3 | |
| Sweeney Todd | Anthony | 3 | |
| Styne | Bells Are Ringing | Carl | 1 |
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| Oratorio | |||
|---|---|---|---|
(as tenor soloist) | |||
| Händel | Israel in Egypt | 1 | |
Chandos Anthems | 1 | ||
| W. Maselli | JFK Requiem | 1 | |
| Art Song | |||
| Barber | Opus 1 | 1 | |
| Brahms | Es schauen die Blumen | 1 | |
Meefahrt | 1 | ||
Der Tod das ist… | 1 | ||
Sommerabend, Op. 85 no.1 | 1 | ||
Mondenschein, Op. 85 no.2 | 1 | ||
| Britten | On This Island, Op. 11 | 2 | |
Michelangelo Sonnets | 2 | ||
Folk Songs Books I & IV | 2 | ||
| Duparc | Phidylé | 1 | |
Le Manoir de Rosemonde | 1 | ||
Lamento | 1 | ||
| Ebel, Steven | A Timbered Choir | 1 | |
The Fool's Air and Prophecy | 1 | ||
Vestiges | 1 | ||
| Ives | Disclosure | 1 | |
Religion | 1 | ||
Autumn | 1 | ||
Thoreau | 1 | ||
Nature's Way | 1 | ||
| Schumann | Dichterliebe, Op. 48 | 1 | |
Liderkreis, Op. 24 | 1 | ||
Balthazar, Op. 56 | 1 | ||
1 | performed |
2 | completely prepared |
3 | in preparation |
| Concert & Oratorio Repertoire | |
|---|---|
(all performed or prepared) | |
| Bach, J.S. | secular cantatas only |
| Beethoven | Choral Fantasy |
Symphony No. 9 | |
| Brahms | Liebeslieder Waltzes |
Neue Liebeslieder | |
| Britten | The Prodigal Son |
War Requiem | |
| Debussy | The Prodigal Son |
| Händel | Acis and Galatea |
Chandos Anthems | |
Israel in Egypt | |
Jephta | |
Judas Maccabaeus | |
Messiah | |
Samson | |
| Haydn | The Seasons |
The Creation | |
| Honegger | King David |
| Mahler | Symphony No. 8 |
| Maselli, W. | JFK Requiem |
| Mendelssohn | Elijah |
| Orff | Carmina Burana |
| Purcell | King Arthur |
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Mr. Ebel at the Concours International de Montréal - 2007 | |
Career Bridges Award | Winner | 2007 |
Concours Musical International de Montréal | Second Prize | 2007 |
Joy in Singing, Song Salon Competition - duo with pianist Wilson Sutherland | Winner | 2007 |
Long Island Masterworks Paul Straney Scholarship Award | Winner | 2006 |
New York Oratorio Society Solo Competition | 2nd Place | 2005 |
Full Tuition Scholarship - UW-Madison | ||
District MET Auditions, Milwaukee, WI | 4th Place | 2004 |
5 Towns Young Musicians Competition, voice | 3rd place | 2004 |
Neale Silva Young Artist Competition | Winner | 2001 |
NATS Wisconsin | 1st place in division | 1998 & 2001 |
Fellow | Tanglewood Fellowship | Jun 16-Aug 15, 2006 |
BM in Vocal Performance | University of Wisconsin-Madison | December 2001 |
Resident Artist | DiCapo Opera Theatre | |
| Pacific Opera Ensemble | |
Voice Teachers | Neil Semer (present), Ilona Kombrink (6 years) | |
Coaches | Gary Wedow, Nico Castel, Paul Sperry, Bill Lutes, Barry Henry, Chloe Owen | |
Masterclasses | Patricia Racette, Ellen Hargis, Jennifer Lane, James Doing, Neil Semer | |
Stage Directors | Lillian Groag, William Farlow, Bill Lutes, Diane Garton Edie | |
Dirge - Benjamin Britten
(Serenade for tenor).mp3
