Baritone Thomas Beard was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina and recently completed three years as artist-in-residence with Washington National Opera's Placido Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. He was the first, and thus far the only, African-American male singer to be personally chosen by Maestro Domingo working directly under the Maestro's tutelage. Mr. Beard received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Winston-Salem State University where he began his formal vocal studies with D'Walla Simmons-Burke.
Recently he was heard as guest soloist in By George! By Ira! By Gershwin! with the Annapolis Symphony, he débuted with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra (Louisiana) and DC's Summer Opera Theatre as Escamillo in Bizet's Carmen, and toured in Spain with the American Spiritual Ensemble. He returned to Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh as Gianni Schicchi and débuted with Annapolis Opera as Tonio in I Pagliacci. This season, he débuts with Dayton Opera as Porgy.
Mr. Beard made is his operatic début as the Bonze in the Municipal Opera Company of Baltimore's production of Madama Butterfly. Subsequently, he has appeared as Marcello in La Bohème, Papageno in The Magic Flute, Escamillo in Carmen, in the title role in Gianni Schicchi, as the Conte di Luna in Il Trovatore, and as Porgy in Porgy & Bess. As a member of The Washington Opera, he performed over 90 times, including in their recent tour of Japan.
He made his début with Pittsburgh Opera Theatre in the world premier of the Jazz-opera Just above my head. He also débuted with the International Opera of Rome as Colline (La Bohème) and Il Commendatore (Don Giovanni). In November of 2002, Mr. Beard made his John F. Kennedy Center début as Corporal Morrel in Carmen Jones staring Vanessa Williams and conducted by Placido Domingo. He recently sang his first Giorgio Germont in WNO's La Traviata directed by Marta Domingo.
In June of 2005, Mr. Beard débuted in the title role of Verdi's Rigoletto. In 2006 he toured Australia and New Zealand as Porgy in Porgy & Bess. In the summer of 2007, he toured throughout Italy, Spain and Germany where he again performed the tile role of Porgy.
Most recently he performed a Patriot Day Celebration with the VA Medical Chorale & Symphony Orchestra where he performed with Gospel Great & Grammy winner Larnelle Harris and Metropolitan opera star Harolyn Blackwell.
While with the Washington National Opera, Mr. Beard has understudied the roles of Gerard and Mathieu in Giordano's Andrea Chenier, and the Count di Luna in Il Trovatore. In January 2005, he covered the roles of Senator Raitcliffe in the world premier of Democracy by Scott Wheeler and Scarpia in Puccini's Tosca.
Mr. Beard has performed for numerous dignitaries, including U.S. Senators and Governors, in many concerts at Embassies and concert halls across the country. He has also performed as special guest soloist at the White House.
