Biography

Raymond Ayers is already creating a name for himself in the leading baritone repertoire in his rapidly growing career.  Opera News said of his recent success in The Picure of Dorian Gray: "Best of all, Raymond Ayers (the aphoristic Lord Henry) showed a high quality baritone with dynamic and coloristic flexibility plus a real gift for meaningful textual delivery."

Mr. Ayers completed his master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music in 2004.  While in the Opera Studio he performed in the American premiere of Martinu’s Mirandolina, creating the role of the Cavaliere di Ripafrata.  In 2002, Mr. Ayers appeared in the New York premiere of Pasatieri’s The Seagull (Constantine), also recording it for Albany Records.  While at MSM, Mr. Ayers performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra singing Frank Martin’s Sechs Monologe aus Jedermann, an engagement he received for winning the school’s concerto competition.  He was also seen in the schools production of Madama Butterfly (Sharpless). 

Although still a graduate student, Mr. Ayers was engaged with the Chautauqua Opera for two seasons.  As a Young Artist, he performed in Fiddler on the Roof (Motel the Tailor), Susannah (Elder Ott) and Faust (covering Valentin and Wagner).  Additionally, Mr. Ayers performed on Chautauqua's recital series, bringing to life a new version of Schumann's Dichterliebe, intertwining lied with spoken word.  

Mr. Ayers recently completed his training in the Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Program.  While in the program, he was entrusted with both compromario and leading roles, many of which he received excellent reviews.  Some of his roles included: Madama Butterfly (Sharpless), the title role in Der Kaiser von Atlantis, Nixon in China (Chou En-lai), Carmen (El Dancare), Maria Padilla (Ramiro, Don Pedro cover), Tosca (Angelotti/Jailer), Il Signor Bruschino (Gaudenzio) and Don Giovanni (Masetto, Don Giovanni cover).

Mr. Ayers is a frequent guest with the Minnesota Orchestra, having collaborated with esteemed music director Osmo Vanska, and critically acclaimed conductor Andrew Litton. Recently he shared the stage with renowned artists Deborah Voigt, Carl Tanner and Greer Grimsley singing Tosca (Angelotti/Jailer).  He was also seen on the stage of Sommerfest in the Orchestra’s production of Carmen (Zuniga, Escamillo cover), and recently returned to reprise his role of the Father in their charming holiday production of Hansel and Gretel this past December to excellent reviews.  Mr. Ayers will return yet again to perform La Boheme (Marcello) in Sommerfest 2007.

This year, Mr. Ayers makes his debut with New York City Opera in La Boheme (Schaunard) and Carmen (Dancaire) as well as Opera on the James in The Tragedy of Carmen (Escamillo), Center City Opera in The Picture of Dorian Gray (Lord Henry Wotton), The Duluth Festival Opera in Il barbiere di Siviglia (Fiorello/ Figaro cover) and The Duluth Festival Orchestra, singing various arias and duets from the repertoire.  Next year brings Mr. Ayers to the San Diego Lyric Opera with performances of Sondheim's A Little Night Music (Carl-Magnus Malcolm).

Additional solo orchestral experience includes performances with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Princeton Pro Musica, Princeton Symphony Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra. 

Mr. Ayers received a bachelor of music degree from Westminster Choir College, and a master of music degree from Manhattan School of Music.  He is an accomplished oboist.