Chad Shelton

Shelton studied voice with Robert Grayson at Louisiana State University{{cite web|url=http://www.music.lsu.edu/faculty/grayson.html|title=Robert Grayson/Voice/LSU|publisher=music.lsu.edu|accessdate=March 23, 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103055059/http://www.music.lsu.edu/faculty/grayson.html|archivedate=January 3, 2009|df=mdy-all}} and then at Yale University on the graduate level.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090129154553/http://www.austin360.com/arts/content/arts/stories/2009/01/0125rigoletto.html austin360.com, January 25, 2009] He made his professional opera debut in 1994 while still at LSU as Tamino in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Die Zauberflöte with Baton Rouge Opera. That same year he played the roles of Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance, the Second Composer in The Great Waltz and the Second Waiter in Giuditta with Ohio Light Opera.{{Cite web |url=http://www.wooster.edu/ohiolightopera/seasons/1994/waltz.php |title=www.wooster.edu Ohio Light Opera |access-date=March 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511150011/https://www.wooster.edu/ohiolightopera/seasons/1994/waltz.php |archive-date=May 11, 2020 |url-status=dead }}[http://olo.wooster.edu/seasons/1994/pirates.php Ohio Light Opera 2004] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820144721/http://olo.wooster.edu/seasons/1994/pirates.php |date=August 20, 2008 }} In 1995 he sang the role of Dino in the world premiere of George Chadwick's The Padrone with the Waterbury Symphony at the Thomaston Opera House.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/24/nyregion/music-symphony-players-tuning-up-again.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1 |title=Symphony players tuning up again |work=The New York Times |date=September 24, 1995 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}}

In 1997 Shelton sang the role of Alfredo in Yale University's production of Giuseppe Verdi's La traviata.{{cite web |url=http://www.yale.edu/opa/arc-ybc/ybc/v25.n22.news.02.html |title=Yale University |publisher=Yale.edu |date=March 3, 1997 |accessdate=January 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419072038/http://www.yale.edu/opa/arc-ybc/ybc/v25.n22.news.02.html |archive-date=April 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} That same year he was awarded a Richard F. Gold Career Grant by the Shoshana Foundation{{cite web|url=http://www.shoshanafoundation.org/423.html |title=shoshanafoundation.org |publisher=shoshanafoundation.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} and became a member of the Young Artist Program at the Central City Opera where he debuted in the role of Hayes in Carlisle Floyd's Susannah.{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/_archive/1097/reports.1097.html |title=Opera News, 1997 |publisher=Metoperafamily.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} He returned there in 1998 to sing the roles of Reverend Paris in Robert Ward's The Crucible{{cite web |author=Jim Lillie |url=http://www.westword.com/1998-07-23/culture/bewitched |title=Denver Westword, July 23, 1998 |publisher=Westword.com |accessdate=January 8, 2012 |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426172519/http://www.westword.com/1998-07-23/culture/bewitched/ |url-status=dead }} and Cavaradossi in Tosca.{{cite web |author=Jim Lillie |url=http://www.westword.com/1998-07-09/culture/unchained-melodrama/ |title=Denver Westword, July 9, 1998 |publisher=Westword.com |accessdate=January 8, 2012 |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608075950/http://www.westword.com/1998-07-09/culture/unchained-melodrama/ |url-status=dead }} He joined the Wolf Trap Opera Company's Young Artist Program for the Summer of 1999, performing there in the roles of Tom Rakewell in The Rake's Progress, the High priest of Neptune in Idomeneo, and Monostatos in The Magic Flute.[http://www.wolftrap.org/Opera/Performance/1999.aspx www.wolftrap.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515224843/http://www.wolftrap.org/Opera/Performance/1999.aspx |date=May 15, 2008 }} That same year he sang the role of Laërte in Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet with Washington Concert Opera.{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/_archive/1198/inreview.1198.html |title=Opera News 1998 |publisher=Metoperafamily.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} In 2000 he was awarded a Richard Tucker Career Grant.{{cite web|url=http://www.richardtucker.org/PreviousCareerGrants.html |title=Richard Tucker Career Grant Winners |publisher=Richardtucker.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117111046/http://www.richardtucker.org/PreviousCareerGrants.html |archivedate=January 17, 2012 }}

In 1998 Shelton became a member of the Young Artist Program at the Houston Grand Opera, remaining in the program through 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.houstongrandopera.org/page.aspx?pageid=12016999 |title=HGO Studio Alumni |publisher=Houstongrandopera.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208025800/http://www.houstongrandopera.org/page.aspx?pageid=12016999 |archivedate=February 8, 2012 }} He made his debut with the company as Malcolm in the 1998 production of Verdi's Macbeth.{{cite web|url=http://www.houstontheatre.com/mefis.html |title=HGO Archives at |publisher=Houstontheatre.com |date=March 31, 1999 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} During his first season with the company he portrayed Count Elemer in Richard Strauss's Arabella with Renée Fleming in the title role,{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/_archive/998/InReview.998.html |title=Opera News, 1998 |publisher=Metoperafamily.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} and he was a last minute replacement of an ailing Peter Kazaras as Captain Vere in Billy Budd.{{cite web|author=Cynthia Greenwood |url=http://www.houstonpress.com/2000-01-27/culture/casting-a-spell/ |title=Houston Press, January 27, 2000 |publisher=Houstonpress.com |date=January 27, 2000 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} He also notably portrayed Laurie in the world premiere of Mark Adamo's Little Women alongside Stephanie Novacek as Jo and Joyce DiDonato as Meg. Shelton reprised the role in 2001 at the HGO in a performance that was recorded live for broadcast on PBS's Great Performances and for commercial release on DVD and CD.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/26/arts/music-a-long-timer-s-solution-to-boredom-be-a-barnum.html?sq=Stephanie+Novacek&scp=7&pagewanted=2&st=nyt |title=Stephanie Novacek |work=New York Times |date=August 26, 2001 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} He has since performed the role of Laurie numerous times, including productions with the Central City Opera (2001),{{cite web |author=Jim Lillie |url=http://www.westword.com/2001-07-12/culture/sister-act |title=Denver Westword, July 12, 2001 |publisher=Westword.com |accessdate=January 8, 2012 |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426172536/http://www.westword.com/2001-07-12/culture/sister-act/ |url-status=dead }} Opera Omaha (2002), Chautauqua Opera (2002), and New York City Opera (2003).{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/26/books/opera-review-alcott-s-sisters-grow-from-page-to-stage.html?scp=3&sq=Chad%20Shelton%20little%20women&st=cse |title=Opera Review |work=The New York Times |date=March 26, 2003 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}}

Shelton's career has continued to be largely based at the HGO, although he often performs with other companies throughout the United States and Europe. Other notable roles with the company include Pinkerton in Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly (1999), both Nereo and Wagner in Boito's Mefistofele (1999), Nemorino in Gaetano Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore (2000), Ferrando in Mozart's Così fan tutte (2001),{{cite web|url=http://www.houstontheatre.com/hgopera/cosifan.html |title=HGO Archives at |publisher=Houstontheatre.com |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} Arcadio in Daniel Catán's Florencia en el Amazonas (2001),{{cite web|url=http://www.houstontheatre.com/hgopera/floren2.html |title=HGO Archives at |publisher=Houstontheatre.com |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} Janek in Leoš Janáček's The Makropolous Case (2002),{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/programs/worldofopera/programlistings/fall2002.html |title=www.npr.org worldofopera |publisher=Npr.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} Camille de Rosillon in Franz Lehár's The Merry Widow (2003),{{cite web|url=http://www.houstontheatre.com/hgopera/merrywid.html |title=HGO Archives at |publisher=Houstontheatre.com |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} Tamino in Mozart's The Magic Flute (2004),{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/review/review.aspx?id=282&issueID=14 |title=Opera News, 2/8/04 |publisher=Metoperafamily.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} and Don Jose in Georges Bizet's Carmen (2006).{{Cite web|url=http://www.operawarhorses.com/2007/03/17/tom-reviews-smoking-opera-pacific-carmen-march-8-2007/|title=Tom Reviews Smoking Opera Pacific "Carmen" – March 8, 2007|website=Opera Warhorses|access-date=2016-04-23}} He has also sung roles in several more world premieres at the HGO, including Prisoner No. 1 in Tod Machover's Resurrection (1999),{{cite web|url=http://www.dramonline.org/albums/tod-machover-resurrection/notes |title=dramonline.org |publisher=dramonline.org |date=April 23, 1999 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} Ulises in Catán's Salsipuedes: a Tale of Love, War and Anchovies (2004){{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91309131 |title=Love and Anchovies: Catan's 'Salsipuedes'From Houston Grand Opera at NPR.org, June 13, 2008 |publisher=Npr.org |date=June 13, 2008 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} and Nico in Adamo's Lysistrata (2005).{{cite web|url=http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/2665.html |title=www.playbillarts.com |publisher=playbillarts.com |date=August 16, 2005 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}}

Shelton wed Ana María Martínez in 2000, while working at HGO. They divorced in 2007 and have a son, Lucas, together.{{Cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-01-15/entertainment/ct-ent-0116-classical-martinez-20130116_1_heroines-lyric-opera-mimi/2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116132434/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-01-15/entertainment/ct-ent-0116-classical-martinez-20130116_1_heroines-lyric-opera-mimi/2|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 16, 2013|title=Interview with 'La Boheme' soprano Ana Maria Martinez|website=tribunedigital-chicagotribune|access-date=2016-04-23}}

Shelton has performed with numerous opera companies throughout the United States. In 1999 he made his debut with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City as Ferrando in Così fan tutte.[http://www.kcopera.org/OurSeason/traviata_cast.html Lyric Opera of Kansas City]{{dead link|date=January 2012}} He has since returned to that company to perform Tom Rakewell in The Rake's Progress (2001),{{cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Lyric_Opera_Produces_LA_TRAVIATA_Opens_314_20090314|title=Lyric Opera Produces LA TRAVIATA, Opens 3/14|author=BWW News Desk|date=March 14, 2009|work=BroadwayWorld.com}} and Alfredo in La traviata (2009).[http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/story/1088295.html Kansas City Star, March 15, 2009] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319082016/http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/story/1088295.html |date=March 19, 2009 }} In 2000 he made his debut with Portland Opera as Cassio in Verdi's Otello,{{cite web |url=http://www.classical89.org/utahsymphony/traviataprofiles.asp |title=www.classical89.org |publisher=classical89.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214062724/http://www.classical89.org/utahsymphony/traviataprofiles.asp |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.portlandopera.org/company/about-us/history-productions |title=Production History of Portland Opera |publisher=Portlandopera.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012 |archive-date=September 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903043231/http://www.portlandopera.org/company/about-us/history-productions |url-status=dead }} where he later returned to sing the role of Belmonte in Mozart's Die Entführung aus dem Serail (2005).{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/review/review.aspx?id=908&issueID=50 |title=Opera News, May 14, 2005 |publisher=Metoperafamily.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}}

In 2001 Shelton sang for the first time with Florida Grand Opera as Leo Hubbard in Mark Blitzstein's Regina. In 2002 he made his debut with Dallas Opera as Jaquino in Beethoven's Fidelio,[http://www.dallasopera.org/news/08shelton.pdf dallasopera.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326170119/http://www.dallasopera.org/news/08shelton.pdf |date=March 26, 2009 }} later returning there to sing Alfred in Die Fledermaus (2008).[https://archive.today/20120728100908/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-fledermaus_1207gd.State.Edition1.cff955.html Dallas News, December 6, 2008] In 2003 he made his debut with Opera Colorado as Don Ottavio in Mozart's Don Giovanni,[http://www.operajaponica.org/archives/america/americaletterpast03a.htm www.operajaponica.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124081231/http://www.operajaponica.org/archives/america/americaletterpast03a.htm |date=January 24, 2009 }} his debut with Madison Opera as Romeo in Charles Gounod's Roméo et Juliette,{{cite web |url=http://www.madison.com/communities/opera/pages/RomeoCaptimes.php?php_page_set=10 |title=The Capital Times 11/22/2003 |publisher=Madison.com |accessdate=January 8, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and his debut with the Lyric Opera of Chicago performing Leo Hubbard in Regina.{{cite web|url=http://www.lyricopera.org/about/cast_2000.aspx |title=Lyric Opera of Chicago Archives |publisher=Lyricopera.org |date=December 1, 2007 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} That same year he returned to the Central City Opera as Fernando in Goyescas and the title role in Pagliacci.{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/issue/article.aspx?id=80&issueID=7&archive=true |title=Opera News, October 2003 |publisher=Metoperafamily.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} He has since returned again to Central City Opera to sing Ottavio (2006){{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/review/review.aspx?id=1483&issueID=80 |title=Opera News, July 2006 |publisher=Metoperafamily.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} and Alfredo (2007).{{cite web |author=Juliet Wittman |url=http://www.westword.com/2007-07-19/culture/la-traviata/ |title=La Traviata |publisher=Westword.com |accessdate=January 8, 2012 |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608075934/http://www.westword.com/2007-07-19/culture/la-traviata/ |url-status=dead }}

In 2004 Shelton performed in an obscure opera, the role of Pilade in Rossini's Ermione, in a joint production with the New York City Opera and Dallas opera.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/13/arts/city-opera-review-long-buried-rossini-work-rises-to-the-occasion.html?scp=17&sq=Chad+Shelton&st=nyt |title=Opera review |work=The New York Times |date=April 13, 2004 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} That same year he sang Sam Polk in Susannah with Chautauqua Opera and Ferrando with Kentucky Opera.{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/review/review.aspx?id=375&issueID=26 |title=Opera News, May 21, 2004 |publisher=Metoperafamily.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} In 2005 he made his debut with Arizona Opera as Ferrando in Così fan tutte;[http://www.operajaponica.org/archives/america/americaletterpast05a.htm Opera Japonica, 2005] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930222642/http://www.operajaponica.org/archives/america/americaletterpast05a.htm |date=September 30, 2008 }} later returning there to sing the role of Alfredo (2008).{{cite web|url=http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/236316.php|title=Review: Arizona Opera's 'La Traviata' a superb end to season|author=Cathalena E. Burch Arizona Daily Star|date=April 27, 2008|work=Arizona Daily Star}} That same year he made his debut with both the Cincinnati Opera and the Opera Company of Philadelphia as George in Richard Danielpour's Margaret Garner.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicincincinnati.com/site/reviews_2005/Margaret_Garner_Rivets_Cincinnati.html |title=musicincincinnati.com |publisher=musicincincinnati.com |accessdate=January 8, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.broadstreetreview.com/index.php/main/article/OCPs_Margaret_Garner/ |title=www.broadstreetreview.com |publisher=broadstreetreview.com |date=February 13, 2006 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} In 2006 he sang Alfredo again in his first performances with both the Nevada Opera and Utah Opera.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsreview.com/reno/content?oid=236642 |title=November 9, 2006 |publisher=Newsreview.com |date=November 9, 2006 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}}[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20061017/ai_n16782014 Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Oct 17, 2006]{{dead link|date=January 2012}} Shelton reprised the role of Nico in Lysistrata in its New York debut at the New York City Opera in 2006{{cite web|last=Tommasini |first=Anthony |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/23/arts/music/23lysi.html?scp=8&sq=Chad+Shelton&st=nyt |title=New York Times March 23, 2006 |work=The New York Times |date=March 23, 2006 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} and at Opera Columbus in 2008.{{cite web|last=Myers |first=Eric |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117929999.html?categoryid=33&cs=1 |title=Review of Lysistrata, or the Nude Goddess at |work=Variety |date=March 22, 2006 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} In 2007 he made his debut with Opera Pacific as Don Jose in Carmen,{{cite web|url=http://www.operawarhorses.com/2007/03/17/tom-reviews-smoking-opera-pacific-carmen-march-8-2007/|title=http|publisher=operawarhorses.com|accessdate=January 8, 2012}} returning there the following year to sing Tamino.{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/review/review.aspx?id=2272&issueID=250 |title=Opera News, January 23, 2008 |publisher=Metoperafamily.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} He debuted at the San Francisco Opera on October 5, 2007 as Brigadier General Edward Alexander in the world premiere of Philip Glass's Appomattox.{{cite web|url=http://archive.sfopera.com/qry3WebCastlist.asp?psearchall=on&psearch=chad%20shelton&psearchtype= |title=San Francisvo Opera Archives |publisher=Archive.sfopera.com |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} In 2009 he sang the Duke of Mantua in Verdi's Rigoletto with Austin Lyric Opera.

Shelton is scheduled to sing the Duke of Mantua with Portland Opera and Don Jose with the Orlando Opera later this year.

Shelton made his international opera debut in 2000 with Opera Australia as Belmonte in Mozart's Die Entführung aus dem Serail.{{cite web|url=http://www.houstontheatre.com/hgopera/floren.html |title=HGO Archives at |publisher=Houstontheatre.com |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} This was followed by his European debut in 2002 as Mitch in André Previn's A Streetcar Named Desire at Opéra national du Rhin in Strasbourg{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/_archive/302/InReview.302.html |title=Opera News, 2002 |publisher=Metoperafamily.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}}

In 2005 he made his debut with the Opéra national de Lorraine as Tamino.{{cite web|url=http://theoperacritic.com/reviewsa.php?&schedid=ncyzauber1005 |title=theoperacritic.com |publisher=theoperacritic.com |date=October 22, 2005 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} He returned there in 2006 to sing the role of Guido Bardi in Alexander von Zemlinsky's Eine florentinische Tragödie,{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/review/review.aspx?id=1546&issueID=82 |title=Opera News, 2006 |publisher=Metoperafamily.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} and again in 2008 to sing Lysander in Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream.{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/review/review.aspx?id=2499 |title=Opera News, June 20, 2008 |publisher=Metoperafamily.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}}

Future international engagements include the title role in Mozart's Idomeneo with Opéra national de Lorraine (2009), Lysander with Théâtre de Caen (2009), and Don Ottavio with the Grand Théâtre de Genève (2010) among others.

Although Shelton's career has primarily focused within the field opera, he is no stranger to the concert repertoire. He has been particularly active with the Minnesota Orchestra with whom he has made a number of recordings on the Reference label, including Dominick Argento's Le Tombeau d'Edgar Poe (1999) and Ottorino Respighi's Balkis, Queen of Sheba Suite (2001), the latter of which garnered a Grammy Award nomination. His other performance with the Minnesota Orchestra include the title role in a concert performance of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, Mozart's Requiem, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, and Janáček's Diary of One Who Vanished (2000).{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/_archive/600/summermagic.600.html |title=Opera News, 2000 |publisher=Metoperafamily.org |accessdate=January 8, 2012}}

Shelton has also sung in concert with the Pacific Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, and at the Colorado Music Festival in performances of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. He has also sung Handel's Messiah with the Virginia Symphony and Mozart's Requiem with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. His concert repertoire also includes Mozart's Solemn Vespers and Bach's Magnificat.

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080723140059/http://www.chadshelton.com/index.php Official website]

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Category:American operatic tenors

Category:Singers from Texas

Category:Louisiana State University alumni

Category:Yale University alumni

Category:1971 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Orange, Texas

Category:20th-century American male opera singers

Category:21st-century American male opera singers

Category:Classical musicians from Texas