Andrew Lunsford to Make Skagit Opera Debut in Verdi's AIDA This November

Andrew Lunsford, dubbed the "Accidental Tenor" by CNN during a primetime news story, will be making his Skagit Opera debut in Verdi's Aida.

Earlier this year, Lunsford delighted a sold out audience with his role debut as Calaf in Opera Fort Collins' production of Puccini's Turandot. His summer residence as an Apprentice Artist at the Chautauqua Opera's Summer Festival followed, where he covered the role of Pinkerton in Puccini's Madam Butterfly and performed the roles of President Chester Arthur and Bushy in Douglas Moore's The Ballad of Baby Doe. Lunsford was a featured artist in the annual Pops Concert and sang his signature aria Nessun Dorma in the Opera Highlights Concert with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra.

Skagit Opera will open the company's eleventh season with Verdi's tragic love triangle between the Egyptian warrior Radames, the Egyptian princess Amneris, and the enslaved princess of Ethiopia, Aida. Lunsford will star opposite Corrina Quillium as Aida and Erin Murphy as Amneris.

"Aida is among the great masterworks of all time." Lunsford commented on the upcoming performances. "I have been looking forward to singing this role for a long time, and it is truly a thrill to have the opportunity to make my debut as Radames with Skagit Opera."

Performances of Verdi's Aida will be held at McIntyre Hall on Friday, November 7 at 7:30pm followed by a second evening performance on Friday, November 14. There will be two matinee performances at 3:00pm on Sunday November 9 and Sunday, November 16.

"Skagit Opera has a history of helping launch young professional singers." The company's general director Mitchell Kahn noted, "We are very excited to have Andrew singing with us on what I expect will be the beginning of a major opera career."

Tickets cost ranges from $25 - 59 and are now available for sale. Please visit www.skagitopera.org for more information. Additional information may be found at his website: andrewlunsford.com.

About Andrew Lunsford - American Tenor Andrew Lunsford is an emerging young artist who hails from Colorado. Fox News describes Lunsford as "quickly rising to the top due to his jaw dropping voice", and Inside Magazine describes him as having a "take your breath away high C." Lunsford has been featured on some of the world's most distinguished stages including The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., The Valley Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, and Carnegie Hall in New York City.

After discovering his voice in his late twenties, Lunsford was granted a full scholarship to the prestigious Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, where he studied with legendary soprano Carol Vaness. In 2010, "The Conservatory Project: Today's Best Students, Tomorrow's Brightest Stars" featured Lunsford as a representative of Indiana University. As a member of this distinguished program he performed in recital at the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts.

Most recently, Lunsford debuted the role of Calaf in OperaFort Collins' production of Puccini's Turandot; followed by a summer residence as an Apprentice Artist with the illustrious Chautauqua Opera Festival. Favorite roles include Pinkerton in Puccini's Madama Butterfly, Cavadarossi in Puccini's Tosca and the title role in Gounod's Faust.

Lunsford has been featured on ABC News and NBC News as well as various newspapers, trade journals and magazines such as Indianapolis Monthly, Indiana University Alumni Magazine, and Classical Singer Magazine. Lunsford was also featured in a prime time news story on CNN, "The Accidental Tenor" which documented the unusual path he took toward his operatic career.

A prolific concert artist and recitalist, Lunsford has been featured as the tenor soloist in Verdi's Requiem and in Mozart's Requiem in addition to recital and orchestral concert engagements including two performances at Carnegie Hall.

In 2014 - 2015 season, Lunsford will make his debut in the role of Radames in Verdi's Aida with Skagit Opera Company, as well as return to Carnegie Hall as a featured performer in the Choirs of America Rising Stars concert.

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