| Biography | Taylor Staytons laser-bright timbre and exceptional fluidity above the staff (Opera News) continue to distinguish him as one of the most sought-after tenors in his repertoire. Staytons 2015-2016 season begins with his debut at the Norwegian National Opera in his acclaimed interpretation of Almaviva in Rossinis Il barbiere di Siviglia. Stayton reprises the role throughout the season, both in his return to the Metropolitan Opera in December and in a new production with the Glyndebourne Festival in May. Additional performances at the Metropolitan Opera this season include as Lord Percy in Anna Bolena in October. Stayton makes his debut with Washington Concert Opera singing the role of Idreno in Semiramide and his debut with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in Lucia di Lammermoor.
Described as deserving to be numbered on the short list of Rossini all-stars by Opera Today, Stayton premiered the role of Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Opéra de Lille in 2012 and has reprised the role at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Nashville Opera, and Opera Philadelphia, as well as on a tour throughout France with theaters including Opéra de Limoges, Théâtre de Caen, and Opéra de Dijon. Additional roles in the bel canto repertoire include his debut as the title character in Le comte Ory with Des Moines Metro Opera, Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola at the Glyndebourne Festival, Tonio in La fille du regiment in his debut with Palm Beach Opera, and his house and role debuts singing Lindoro in LItaliana in Algeri with Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Stayton made his critically acclaimed Metropolitan Opera debut in a last-minute performance as Percy in Anna Bolena, and returned as Elvino in La Sonnambula opposite Diana Damrau.
Recent debuts include with the Bayerische Staatsoper as Marzio in Mitridate, re di Ponto; Kentucky Opera as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni; Ernesto in Don Pasquale with Des Moines Metro Opera; Tybalt in Roméo et Juliette with Opera Philadelphia; Don Alvar in LAfricaine with Opera Orchestra of New York; and Teatro dell-Opera di Roma as Fenton in the new Franco Zeffirelli production of Falstaff with Renato Bruson and Carlos Alvarez.
A native of Sidney, Ohio, Stayton is a 2011 graduate of The Academy of Vocal Arts as a student of the renowned voice teacher Bill Schuman. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree at Ohio State University, and is an alumnus of the Martina Arroyo Foundations Prelude to Performance program. He has won several prestigious vocal competitions, including First Prize in the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation International Voice Competition, First prize in the Gerda Lissner Foundation International Voice Competition, and third place in the Loren B. Zachary Voice Competition. |