Scott Purcell, baritone, has been hailed as possessing “a handsome, true, and full baritone voice” by the National Opera Association and received recent praise by Broadway World in the title role as Maometto II as he “pulled off the often-taxing music and was dramatically just right “. In the 2023-24 season, Mr. Purcell sings Apollo in Anthony Brandt’s Kassandra with the Turner-Fischer Center for Opera at LSU and Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Opéra Louisiane. Last seaon Mr. Purcell sang the title role in Rossini’s Maometto II with Teatro Nuovo, The Learned Judge in Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury with the Turner-Fischer Center for Opera at LSU, and made his company and role debut singing Davis Miller in Approaching Ali with Opéra Louisiane.
An accomplished interpreter of modern opera, Mr. Purcell created the title role of Roscoe by composer Evan Mack and librettist Joshua McGuire which premiered at Seagle Music Colony. Mr. Purcell appeared in Marc Blitzstein’s The Cradle Will Rock as Dauber with Opera Saratoga and appears on the cast recording by Bridge Records. He has performed Figaro in John Corligliano’s Ghosts of Versailles at Chautauqua Opera and the title role in Philip Glass’ Orphée at the Turner-Fischer Center for Opera at LSU under the musical direction of Michael Borowitz. . He has sung the baritone soloist in Philip Glass’ Hydrogen Jukebox and as Older Thompson in Tom Cipullo’s Glory Denied with Tri Cities Opera.
In the standard opera canon, Mr. Purcell has performed a range of roles. He has sung Figaro in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia with Annapolis Opera and Dr. Bartolo in his company debut with Teatro Nuovo. As a prior resident artist with Tri Cities Opera, he performed the roles of Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Marcello in La boheme, Peter in Hansel und Gretel, and Ramiro in L’heure espagnole. In concert, he has performed in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the Philadelphia Orchestra and made his professional debut singing Dandini in the family performance of La cenerentola at Palm Beach Opera. His role debut as Figaro in Opera Ithaca’s Le nozze di Figaro was cancelled due to the Covid-19.
Mr. Purcell is currently a candidate for Doctor of Musical Arts at Louisiana State University. He has been a studio artist with Sarasota Opera and Chautauqua Opera and a young artist with Palm Beach Opera and Bel Canto at Caramoor. He received both Masters of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from Westminster Choir College.