William George
IN-PERSON & ONLINE LESSONS
Tenor William George has performed with many international musical organizations, including The Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, San Francisco Opera, New York City Opera, Hong Kong Arts Festival, the Savonlinna (Finland) Festival, the Aldeburgh (England) Festival, the Stockholm Tonsättarfestival, Philippines Symphony, Elysium Festival and at Carnegie Hall. He has toured the country as Count Almaviva with New York City Opera, and as Don Ottavio with Western Opera Theater. Recent performances include the world premiere of Enigma by electronic composer Barry Truax (a work that was composed for him) with Vancouver New Music, and the Mantis Festival in Manchester, England; Der Kaiser von Atlantis and Carmina Burana with City Opera Vancouver; Messiah with Victoria Symphony; Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with AURA Chamber Choir; Britten’s Company of Heaven with the Handel Society, and concerts with Vancouver International Song Institute (for which he has also served as faculty), Vancouver Chamber Choir, and Erato Ensemble.
As a recitalist, Will has appeared in the U.S., England, and Sweden, and has been featured in a recital for Japan’s NHK network television. His recordings include Geometrics by L.Warde and Brent Michael David’s Viola Jokes, with acclaimed violist Melia Watras. His latest CD, Eastern Odyssey, with guitarist Michael Strutt, will be released in 2014.
A specialist in contemporary music, Will has sung several prestigious North American premieres, including the role of Hermes in Sir Michael Tippett’s King Priam, Edgar Allen Poe in Augusta Read Thomas’ Ligeia, and Kenneth Leighton’s Symphony #3. He also received acclaim for his performances of Tippett’s song cycles at Tippett festivals in Stockholm and Sacramento, and Benjamin Lees’ Echoes of Normandy, also in Sacramento. A recent pet project was the research and performance of the complete vocal works of South African composer Priaulx Rainier.
In addition to his classical work, Will also has years of experience singing many styles of music, including Musical Theatre, Jazz, Cabaret, Rock, Soul and Country. He is also co-founder and Artistic Director of the art-song chamber group Erato Ensemble.
Mr. George received his Masters of Music degree from the University of Southern California, where he was honored as Outstanding Graduate from the school of music. He currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Also a composer, Will’s songs and vocal chamber works have been performed in Canada, the United States and Europe. He recently was honored with an induction to the Canadian Music Centre as an Associate Composer. William also serves as lead singer-songwriter for the roots-rock band Horse Opera.