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David Ossenfort - Tenor

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Photo of David Ossenfort

photo: John Hart

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David Ossenfort he has been enthusiastically praised for his performances as concert soloist and on the opera stage in an array of leading roles including Alfredo, Edgardo, Ferrando, Nemorino, Roméo and the Baron von Eisenstein. A truly versatile artist, he has performed in the unique Heinrich Heine Doppelgänger with American Opera Projects, Stravinsky's Renard with EOS Orchestra, and in the Kennedy Center premiere of Glass' Symphony No. 5 with the Choral Arts Society of Washington, DC. He has been featured soloist in numerous concerts at Carnegie Hall.

Last season, Mr. Ossenfort appeared with Three Tenors: A New Generation and sang his first Don José in Peter Brook's The Tragedie of Carmen with Opera on the James. He returns to OOJ as Roméo opposite star soprano Talise Trevigne (Nov) and débuts as special guest vocalist in the engaging Bernstein on Broadway with the Phoenix Symphony (Nov) and the Minnesota Orchestra (Apr '08). He débuts with Seattle Symphony (Dec) as tenor soloist in The Messiah, and sings Edgardo in a joint production of Lucia with Asheville Lyric and Opera Company of Carolina (Jan '08).

In addition to his concert appearances abroad, he performed in an all-Russian music program with the Cathedral Choral Society at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, and in Duluth Festival Opera's inaugural gala. He also débuted with Opera on the James and Dayton Opera, and made a triumphant return to Opera Birmingham as Nemorino, a favorite role.

He also has appeared in principal and featured roles with San Francisco Opera, New York City Opera, Opera Orchestra of New York, Mississippi Opera, Anchorage Opera, Bel Canto at Caramoor, Opera Theatre of Connecticut, Connecticut Grand Opera & Orchestra, Opera Providence, and the Sanibel Music Festival. Future opera appearances include débuts as Don Ottavio, Tamino, and Fenton.

Mr. Ossenfort attended the prestigious Tanglewood Music Center where he participated in the Phyllis Curtin Seminars and performed numerous leading roles under the direction and nurturing tutelage of Maestro Seiji Ozawa.

His ever increasing discography includes the world premiere recordings of An Angel Oratorio and Music of the Titanic for EMI. His latest CD of Kurt Weill's Eternal Road with Maestro Gerard Schwarz and Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, is soon to be released by Naxos American Classics.

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PRESS ACCLAIM

 

As Edgardo in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor:

 

"Tenor David Ossenfort as Edgardo was the ideal nineteenth-century romantic lover consumed by many passions, loving Lucia but able to turn on her when he thinks she has betrayed him, and willing to die by his own hand when he learns of his beloved's death. His fine voice made all Edgardo's torments very real, and he was especially effective in his angry encounters with the men who would separate him from Lucia."

Martha A. Fawbush - Classical Voice of North Carolina - Jan 19, 2008

 

As Soloist in Händel's Messiah:
(début with Seattle Symphony)

 

"Triumphant Messiah"
"The four vocal soloists were Celena Shafer (soprano), Charlotte Hellekant (mezzo-soprano), David Ossenfort (a mellifluous tenor) and Harold Wilson (a resonant bass)."

Seattle Times - Dec 2007

 

"'Messiah' brings out the best in SSO"
"The tenor of David Ossenfort is big and round and attractive. He can sing softly too."

P-I - Dec 2007

 

As Don José in Carmen:

 

"David Ossenfort brought gritty, dramatic realism and beautifully controlled vocalism to this role. He brings both the poignancy and excitement of opera to life. I will watch for this rapidly maturing young artist to make his way to the top of the heap!"

C. Fields - Virginia - Apr 2007

 

As soloist in Mozart's Scena - Se ai labbro mio, K.295:
(with The Rockford Symphony - April '06)

 

"The evening began with a Mozart work, 'Se ai labbro mio' K.295, with lyric tenor David Ossenfort. Basically a love song, the composition is indeed compelling, but was given extraordinary rendering by the strong and vibrant voice of the soloist. From the first sound of his voice, the audience was aware of Mr. Ossenfort's superb artistry and ability to transform notes and words on paper into beautiful music."

 

As Soloist in Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings:
(with The Rockford Symphony - April '06)

 

"Mr. Ossenfort gave very moving expression to each of the movements displaying his ability to add strength, tenderness and intense emotion where needed."

Nat Bauer - The Rockford Star - April 4, 2006

 

As Nemorino in Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore:

 

"Ossenfort brilliantly projected his character's naiveté and obsessive love for Adina. His passionate, show-stopping rendition of 'Una furtive lagrima' was rewarded with shouts of 'bravo.'"

Opera Birmingham - April, 2005

 

As Tenor Soloist in Rachmaninoff's The Bells:
(début with the Cathedral Choral Society - Washington, DC)

 

"The luster of David Ossenfort's bel canto tenor captivated the ear."

The Washington Post - Tuesday, March 8, 2005

 

Début as Roméo in Gounod's Roméo et Juliette:

 

"good choice for the title role"
"young, slim and good-looking"
"Ossenfort has a clear, powerful tenor with fine dynamic control in his upper range."

Seth Williamson special to the Roanoke Times - March 27, 2004

 

As Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor:
(Opera Birmingham, AL - January '04)

 

"Tenor David Ossenfort matched up well as Lucia's lover, Edgardo, tenderly expounding his love in the Act 1 duet. His tenor was smooth as silk as he moved fluidly about the stage."

The Birmingham News - Feb 8, 2004

In Concert
(Gala for Opera Birmingham, AL - January '03):

 

"Ossenfort has all the vocal goods, as he showed last year as Alfredo in Opera Birmingham's La Traviata: rich emotive singing that projects even in the softest passages and a top register that could easily fill any opera house."

Michael Huebner - The Birmingham News - Jan 26, 2003

 

As Don Ramiro in Rossini's La Cenerentola:
(Opera Providence - September '02)

 

"For the more discerning adult listener, the production offers some crisp, elegant coloratura work from Nicolosi, and more than a few ringing high C's from tenor David Ossenfort, who plays Don Ramiro, the prince smitten by Cinderella's charm and kindness. Ossenfort, who has sung with New York City Opera, possesses a bright, clear tenor voice."

Channing Gray - Providence Journal - Sep 20, 2002

 

As Ernesto in Donizetti's Don Pasquale:
(Caramoor International Music Festival - April '02)

 

"The role of Ernesto, the Don's nephew, was sung by tenor David Ossenfort with unforced sweetness and a catch in the voice that went straight to the heart. His sound, while young, offers hints of impressive brilliance. Ossenfort's rendition of the well-known serenade goes to the top of my list of enchanting performances."

The Journal News (NY)

 

As Nemorino in Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore:
(Anchorage Opera - March '02)

 

"The great voice of the evening came from tenor David Ossenfort in the leading role. To advance 'L'Elisir' beyond the dramatic stature of 'Dumb and Dumber,' Nemorino must deliver his serious second-act aria, 'Una furtiva lagrima,' with perfect poise, great vocal beauty and wrenching emotion. Ossenfort triumphed on all counts and drew the loudest cheers from the crowd. Here's hoping we hear more from this guy in the future."

Anchorage Daily News

 

As Alfredo in Verdi's La Traviata:
(Opera Birmingham - January '02)

 

"Even more impressive was tenor David Ossenfort, who, as Alfredo, exuded confidence, anger, and remorse, as required. His spirited first act 'Libiam ne lieti calici' and affectionate duets with Bender (Violetta) were some of the opera's high points. He possesses a sweetly elegant voice, finely honed in the top register which easily filled the Alabama Theatre (2,500 seats). He also has fine musical instincts, which in this performance helped to keep the orchestra in check and the action from wavering."

The Birmingham News - Jan 27, 2002

 

As Nemorino in Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore:
(Opera Roanoke - September '00)

 

"Ossenfort (Nemorino) has a delicious dynamic control in his higher range and lingered lovingly on those notes which he knew he was producing especially beautifully. 'Una furtiva lagrima' was deeply moving as he savored the beautiful melody. Ossenfort is an exciting young tenor."

The Roanoke Times

 

As Nemorino in Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore:
(Opera Roanoke - Sep '00)"

 

"Ossenfort's Nemorino is not so much the clownish redneck as a handsome, sad-eyed and sensitive kid who is so infatuated that you can actually believe he'd mistake 'corn likker' for a magic love potion. Ossenfort has a delicious dynamic control in his higher range and lingered lovingly on those notes which he knew he was producing especially beautifully. 'Una furtiva lagrima,' the tenor's highpoint, was deeply moving as he savored the beautiful melody. Ossenfort is an exciting young tenor who one day may become too expensive for Opera Roanoke, so hear him now when you can."

The Roanoke Times

 

As Alfred in Strauss's Die Fledermaus:
(Opera Theatre of Connecticut - Aug '98)

 

" … Alfred, played by David Ossenfort, whose melodious, mellow tenor is gorgeously suited to the operatic arias he voiced to win Rosalinde's heart."

The Herald

 

"The opera tenor, Alfred, played by David Ossenfort, had all the operatic attributes to captivate Rosalinde's romantic fantasies, including a Pavarotti high 'C' and hanky."

The Middletown Press

 

"Of the male protagonists, tenor Eisenstein and baritone Falke, together with would-be lover Alfred (David Ossenfort) who carries the first act with aplomb and a wonderful tenor voice, combine the magical talents of singing, acting and movement. Besides, they are handsome (can't best that).

Main Street News

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Photo of David Ossenfort

photo: John Hart

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AUDIO SAMPLES

Click on the icon or sample name below. High-speed internet connection is recommended.

Additional audio samples are available on CD. Contact Novo Artists for more information.

Ach, mein Sinn (St. John Passion).mp3

03:33

3.2mb

En fermant les yeux (Des Grieux - Manon).mp3

03:26

3.6mb

Lonely House (Sam Kaplan - Street Scene).mp3

04:00

4.4mb

Una furtiva lagrima (Nemorino - L'Elisir d'amore).mp3

03:51

3.6mb

Aller Seelen (R. Strauss).mp3

03:19

3.1mb

A'vucchella (Tosti).mp3

02:33

2.4mb

La Rosa y El Sauce (Guastavino).mp3

02:42

2.5mb

Thine Alone (V. Herbert).mp3

03:07

2.9mb

Sonnet from the Serenade, Op. 31, for Tenor, Horn and Strings (Britten).wma
recorded live Apr 1, 2006

03:49

3.5mb

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Photo of David Ossenfort Photo of David Ossenfort
Photo of David Ossenfort Photo of David Ossenfort

David Ossenfort as Roméo

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE - OPERA (selected)

Opera Company of North Carolina

Edgardo - Lucia

Asheville Lyric Opera

Edgardo - Lucia

Opera on the James

Don José - The Tragedie of Carmen

Dayton Opera (company début)

Eisenstein (role début) Die Fledermaus

Opera Birmingham

Nemorino - L'Elisir d'Amore

San Francisco Opera (company début)

Andrew Johnson - The Mother of Us All
and Beppe (cover) - I Pagliacci

Mississippi Opera

Ralph - HMS Pinafore

Opera Birmingham

Edgardo - Lucia di Lammermoor

Opera Roanoke

Romeo - Roméo et Juliette

San Francisco Opera

Don Ramiro - La Cenerentola

Caramoor International Music Festival

Ernesto - Don Pasquale

Anchorage Opera

Nemorino - L'Elisir d'Amore

Opera Birmingham

Alfredo - La Traviata

Anchorage Opera

Edgardo - Lucia di Lammermoor

Opera Roanoke

Nemorino - L'Elisir d'Amore

New York City Opera

Il Viaggio a Reims, Ariodante, Carmen, Falstaff, Central Park,
and The Mother of Us All

American Opera Projects

Heinrich Heine Doppelgänger

Opera Orchestra of New York

Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia - Carnegie Hall

Opera Orchestra of New York

Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots - Carnegie Hall

EOS Orchestra

Tenor I - Stravinsky's Renard

Sanibel Music Festival

Ferrando - Così fan tutte

Opera Providence

Don Ramiro - La Cenerentola

Opera Theater of Connecticut

Lindoro - L'Italiana in Algeri

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OTHER APPEARANCES

News 12 New York (TV Broadcast)

"Celebrity Spotlight"

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE - CONCERT & ORATORIO (selected)

Minnesota Orchestra

Guest Artist - Bernstein on Broadway

Seattle Symphony

SOLOIST - Messiah

The Alabama Theatre in Birmingham

GUEST SOLOIST - An Alabama Christmas Concert

Phoenix Symphony

Guest Artist - Bernstein on Broadway

The Minneapolis Symphony

SOLOIST - The Three Tenors: A New Generation!

Opera on the James

SOLOIST - The Three Tenors: A New Generation!

Duluth Festival Opera

SOLOIST - The Three Tenors: A New Generation!

Opera Roanoke

SOLOIST - The Three Tenors: A New Generation!

Cathedral Choral Society

SOLOIST - Rachmaninoff's The Bells

BachWorks, NYC

TENOR SOLOIST - Judas Maccabeus

Princeton University Concert Series

SOLOIST (début) - Bach St. John Passion

Opera Birmingham

SPECIAL GUEST SOLOIST - GALA CONCERT

St. John the Divine Cathedral

SOLOIST - Händel's Messiah

Carnegie Hall

TENOR SOLOIST - The Nativity

Roanoke, VA

Gala Duo Recital Concert with Michelle Areyzaga

The Kennedy Center

SOLOIST - Glass' Symphony No.5 (Kennedy Center début)

Carnegie Hall

SOLOIST - Mozart's Coronation Mass & Schubert's Mass in G

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Photo of David Ossenfort

photo: John Hart

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OPERATIC REPERTOIRE

Barber

Vanessa

Anatol

3

Bizet

Carmen

Don José

2

 

Les Pêcheurs de Perles

Nadir

3

Bizet/Brook

The Tragedie of Carmen

Don José

1

Britten

Peter Grimes

Rector Horace Adams

1

Delibes

Lakme

Gérald

3

Donizetti

L'Elisir d'Amore

Nemorino

1

 

Lucia di Lammermoor

Edgardo

1

Gounod

Faust

Faust

2

 

Roméo et Juliette

Romeo

1

Massenet

Manon

Chevalier des Grieux

2

 

Werther

Werther

3

Mozart

La Clememza di Tito

Tito

3

 

Così fan tutte

Ferrando (English & Italian)

1

 

Die Entführung

Belmonte

3

 

Don Giovanni

Don Ottavio

1

 

Die Zauberflöte

Tamino (German & English)

2

Poulenc

Les Dialogues de Carmelites

Chevalier de la Force

3

Puccini

La Bohème

Rodolfo

2

 

Gianni Schicchi

Rinuccio

2

 

La Rondine

Ruggero

2

Strauss, J.

Die Fledermaus

Gabriel von Eisenstein

1

 

 

Alfred

1

Stravinsky

The Rake's Progress

Tom Rakewell

3

Tchaikovsky

Eugene Onegin

Lensky

2

Thompson

The Mother of Us All

Andrew Johnson

1

Verdi

Falstaff

Fenton

2

 

Macbeth

Macduff

2

 

Otello

Cassio

2

 

Rigoletto

The Duke

2

 

La Traviata

Alfredo

1

Weill

Street Scene

Sam Kaplan

2

1

performed

2

completely prepared

3

future role

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Photo of David Ossenfort

photo: John Hart

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CONCERT & ORATORIO REPERTOIRE

Andriessen

Hadewich

Bach, C.P.E.

Magnificat

Bach, J.S.

Christmas Oratorio

 

Magnificat

 

Mass in b minor

 

St. John Passion

 

St. Matthew Passion

Beethoven

Choral Fantasy

 

Mass in C

Brahms

Liebeslieder Waltzes

 

Neue Liebeslieder

Britten

Serenade

Dvořák

Stabat Mater

Glass

Symphony No.5 (Washington premiere, Kennedy Center)

Händel

Judas Maccabaeus

 

Messiah

Haydn

The Seasons

 

The Creation

Honegger

King David

Mendelssohn

Elijah

Mozart

Coronation Mass

 

Great Mass in C

 

Requiem

Rachmaninoff

The Bells

Rodgers Robinson

The Nativity (world premiere, Carnegie Hall)

Rossini

Petit Messe Solennelle

 

Stabat Mater

Schubert

Mass in A-flat

 

Mass in G

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Photo of David Ossenfort Photo of David Ossenfort

Photo of David Ossenfort

photos: Oliver Korshin

David Ossenfort as Nemorino (Anchorage Opera March 2002)

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RECORDINGS

The Eternal Road by Kurt Weill
Gerard Schwarz conducting
the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin

[To be released in 2007 - Naxos Classics]

 

Released:

Music of the Titanic

EMI

An Angel Oratorio

EMI

Splendor of the High Holy Days

VOX

Nicole

Albany Records

The Eternal Road by Kurt Weill
Gerard Schwarz conducting
the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin

Naxos Classics

"From the Naxos American Classics series, there is a subseries, American Jewish Music from the Milken Archive. The latest addition is "The Art of Yiddish Song," which celebrates the Yiddish art songs of Lazar Weiner (1897-1982). Here are 32 selections ranging from 45 seconds to 4.5 minutes, sung by such artists as Raphael Frieder, Ida Rae Cahana, Meir Finkelstein, Robert Abelson and the outstanding tenor David Ossenfort. Some heartbreaking, all lovely, these songs provide fascinating insight into how this people's experience in America reflects all of their history. Complete texts and translations are provided."

Classical Music Reviews

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Photo of David Ossenfort

photo: John Hart

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EDUCATION & TRAINING

Fellowship Program

Tanglewood Music Center

The Phyllis Curtin Seminar

Tanglewood Music Center

B.A. Fine Arts (in Opera Performance)

State University of New York at Purchase

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VOICE TEACHER

Neil Rosenschein

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Click to visit Mr. Ossenfort's page at the The Milken Archive of American Jewish Music.

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