Praised for his “gloriously rich” voice and a stage presence that is “superb in every way,” baritone Michael Mayes enjoys a celebrated operatic career in both traditional and contemporary roles with theaters throughout the United States and Europe. After an explosive international debut as Joseph De Rocher in Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking in 2018 with Teatro Real in Madrid opposite Joyce DiDonato, Mayes quickly established a prominent presence as a leading international baritone with multiple engagements in a wide range of roles with important theaters across the globe including Staatsoper Stuttgart, Houston Grand Opera, English National Opera, The Dallas Opera, and Bergen National Opera.
In his 24/25 season, Mayes makes returns to Houston Grand Opera for the company premiere of Missy Mazzoli’s Breaking the Waves (Councilman), Staatsoper Stuttgart as the title role in Johann Strauss and operetta Casanova, The Atlanta Opera as the title role in Macbeth, Utah Opera as the title role in Sweeney Todd, and Music of Remembrance for Tom Cipullo’s After Life (Picasso).
Last season, Mayes debuted at Edinburgh International Festival in Bluebeard’s Castle (Bluebeard) and Staatstheater Kassel in Die Hamletmaschine (Hamlet III). Other season highlights included his returns to Houston Grand Opera for the world premiere production of Intelligence (Travis Biggs) by Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer, Seattle Opera for Das Rheingold (Alberich), Staatsoper Stuttgart for Nixon in China (Nixon) and Das Rheingold (Alberich), and his principal role debut at The Santa Fe Opera in the world premiere production of The Righteous (David) by Gregory Spears and Tracy K. Smith.
Now sought after for his mastery of dramatic vocal repertoire, notable recent engagements have included Il trovatore (Il Conte di Luna) with Seattle Opera, Central City Opera, and The Glimmerglass Festival; Wozzeck (title role) with Des Moines Metro Opera; an acclaimed debut as Bluebeard in an innovative production by Theater of Sound (UK); and Rigoletto (title role) with Houston Grand Opera and Boston Lyric Opera. Mayes remains well known across the globe for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Joseph De Rocher in Dead Man Walking across the world including Washington National Opera, New Israeli Opera, The Atlanta Opera, and many others.
Other recent highlights include Everest with Lyric Opera of Kansas City and The Dallas Opera, Moby Dick (Starbuck) and Madama Butterfly (Sharpless) with Pittsburgh Opera, Sweeney Todd (title role) with The Atlanta Opera, Glory Denied with Des Moines Metro Opera, Nashville Opera, Memphis Opera, The Atlanta Opera, and Fort Worth Opera, and Great Scott with The Dallas Opera and San Diego Opera. Other notable performances include leading roles with Bard SummerScape, Fort Worth Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Opera Carolina, Opera Omaha, and Detroit Opera.
A native of Cut’n’Shoot, Texas, Michael graduated with a degree in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas. He currently resides in South Carolina.
AUGUST 2024
