Ben Gulley

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Ben Gulley BIO

The American operatic tenor, Ben Gulley, has been hailed "as an outstanding tenor (Opera News) ... startlingly-gifted (San Francisco Classical Voice)." Mr. Gulley's career is burgeoning with lead and feature roles in opera, sole engagements, concert work, film work, nationwide touring, and prestigious appearances abroad. Mr. Gulley is the 2009 winner of the Metropolitan Opera's National Council District & Regional Competitions and a National Semi-Finalist. Other awards include the winner of the Hellam Young Artists' Competition, Richard Tucker Foundation finalist, Florida Grand Opera competition finalist, Silver Medalist and People's Choice Award from the Tulsa Rotary Club's Competition, and a finalist for the Palm Beach Opera Competition; as well as awards from the Gerda Lissner Foundation and Shreveport Opera's Singer of the Year including the Audience Favorite Award and Encouragement Award.
This 2019-20 season will see his role debuts as Dick Johnson in Puccini's La Fanciulla del West with Opera Orlando, his return and role debut as Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos with Opera Steamboat,
symphonic appearances with Richmond Symphony as the tenor soloist in Rachmaninov's The Bells, Holiday Pops with Louisville Orchestra, recital debuts with Opera Orlando, Purdue University, North Dakota State University, and Epworth By the Sea amidst his national concert tour with The Timeless Trio presented by LiveOnStage.
The 2018-19 season saw his returns to Opera San Luis Obispo as Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Sarasota Opera as Ismaele in Verdi’s Nabucco with Maestro Victor DeRenzi, and role debuts as the Princ in Dvorak's Rusalka with Opera Steamboat, debut as Dr. Marianus in Mahler’s 8th Symphony with South Dakota Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony Beethoven VS Coldplay, plus Pops concerts with Jacksonville Symphony, premiering Sarasota Opera's new recital series, a return to The Lyric Opera of Kansas City for their Opera Ball & the start of his solo National Recital Tour presented by Live On Stage, to name a few. The 2016-2018 seasons saw Mr. Gulley’s company debuts with Hamburg Staatsoper where he covered Enée in Les Troyens under Maestro Kent Nagano, Sarasota Opera starring as Pedro in Tiefland with Maestro David Neely, with Opera Idaho where he debuted as Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus with Maestro Andy Anderson. Mr. Gulley made his CARNEGIE HALL debut in May 2017 with The American Symphony as the tenor soloist in Haydn's MASS IN TIME OF WAR. He was also the featured artist with The US Army Band, the Canadian National Bagpipes, and the US Presidential Old Guard at Estes Park, among multiple symphonic concerts, gala performances and solo concert work throughout the season. The 2015-16 season began with the completion of Mr. Gulley's wildly successful first solo 70 city national recital tour presented by Allied Concert Services, the commercial release of his debut solo album or original music, IN BETWEEN (available on every major music distribution channel), starring in MTH's rave-reviewed An Evening with Cole Porter, international appearances in Berlin, Germany and Napoli, Italy, symphonic performances with the San Luis Obispo Symphony and Opera San Luis Obispo, The St, Joseph Symphony, and the Orlando MAYS.
The 2014-15 saw the role debut as Enee in Les Troyens under the baton of Maestro Kent Nagano in San Francisco, role debut as Radames in Aida with Opera San Luis Obispo, starred in the rave-reviewed Bernstein's Broadway at MTH, symphonic debut as the tenor soloist in Mozart's Requiem with the Washburn Symphony. The 2011-14 seasons saw Mr. Gulley on the stages of Chautauqua Opera as Edmondo in Manon Lescaut and Edgardo (cover) in Lucia di Lammermoor, Opera San Luis Obispo role debut as Tamino, debut in I Puratani as Arturo with Minnesota Concert Opera, Cedar Rapids Opera as the fourth Jew in Salome (his first HD Broadcast), Borsa in the Lyric Opera of Kansas City's Rigoletto and as The Peasent in La fille du Regiment. Previous symphonic works include Beethoven's 9th Symphony, Bruckner's Te Deum, Verdi's Requiem, Butterworth's A Shropshire Lad, Britten's Serenade, and previous stage work includes UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance as the title role in Britten's Albert Herring and Nemorino in L'elisir d'amore, Kansas Concert Opera as Turridu in Cavalleria Rusticana and Lt. Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. Coming from, and equally at home in musical theater, his proudest musical theater moment was as Stromboli (taking the role over from Brent Spiner) in the world premiere of the TV movie adaptation of the Broadway musical Gepetto & Son with the Coterie Theater with Stephen Schwartz and David Stern.
Mr. Gulley was a member of the SONY/BMG Masterworks recording group The American Tenors 2010-14 and the 2011-12 National Tour through LiveOnStage. He has been twice featured on the PBS nationally televised Memorial Day event "Celebration at the Station" with the Kansas City Symphony under the baton of Michael Stern. Plus, numerous crossover concerts and events with mainstream artists and entertainers such as David Foster, Natalie Cole, Brenna Whitaker, Blues Traveler, SNL alumni Darryl Hammond, Mark O'Conner, Cherry Holmes, JoJo, Stephen Schwartz, Jason Robert Brown, Jesse Lynch and others.
Mr. Gulley is a graduate of the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, where he is also a sitting member of the Alumni Board. Other training has included the apprenticeships with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City 2009-11, the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival singing as Jason in A Grand Night for Singing, as Ludwig in the World Premiere of the opera Nocciolina, and Opera in the Ozarks as Lt. B.F. Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly and Sam Polk in Susannah.
In 2011 Mr. Gulley had the privilege of being the first artist to sing on the stage of the incomparable Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts with Maestro Ward Holmquist at the piano in his hometown of Kansas City, MO. GO ROYALS!!!

Ben Gulley News


LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR Opera Orlando's 2023-24 All for Art MainStage Series at Steinmetz Hall

Opera Orlando has announced casting for its latest production. Get an inside look at the artists behind LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR.

Portland Opera Presents Dvořák's RUSALKA For The First Time

Portland Opera continues the 2022/23 season with Antonín Dvořák's Rusalka, performing this piece for the first time in the company's history. With haunting melodies and spellbinding visuals, Rusalka is a story that speaks to the timeless themes of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery.

Opera Orlando Presents THE MOZART DINNER

Opera Orlando and honorary chairs Margie and Chuck Steinmetz present The Mozart Dinner on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Symphony San Jose Unveils First Season Under New Director

Symphony San Jose announces its 2023/2024 season, the first curated by new Executive Artistic and General Director Robert Massey, who took the helm of the organization last June.

Winners Announced For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Milwaukee Awards

The winners have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Milwaukee Awards, honoring the best in regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.

12 Days Left To Vote For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Milwaukee, WI Awards; Skylight Music Theatre Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Milwaukee, WI Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Stats Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Milwaukee, WI Awards; at Sunset Playhouse Leads Best Ensemble Performance!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Milwaukee, WI Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Standings Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Milwaukee, WI Awards; Skylight Music Theatre Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 5th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Milwaukee, WI Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

First Stats Released For The BroadwayWorld Milwaukee, WI Awards; Matlhouse's A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER Leads Best Musical

The first live standings have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Milwaukee, WI Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

BWW Review: Epic HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME Stuns with Song at SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE

This HUNCHBACK is staggering, extraordinary, and masterfully staged. The Skylight has outdone themselves with this season finale.

Kevin Anderson, Ben Gulley & Alanis Sophia to Star in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Skylight Music Theatre

Skylight Music Theatre announced the full cast for the Wisconsin premiere of Dennis DeYoung’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, running May 20 through June 12, 2022. Performances take place in the beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.

Skylight Music Theatre Announces Cast & Creative Team for HUNCHBACK

Skylight Music Theatre today announced the partial cast, creative team and a one-day sale for the Wisconsin premiere of Dennis DeYoung’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, running May 20 through June 12, 2022. Performances take place in the beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.

Sarasota Opera Announces Casting For 2022 Winter Opera Festival

Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and General Director Richard Russell have announced casting for the 2022 Winter Opera Festival, which also marks Maestro DeRenzi's 40th anniversary with the company.

Classical WSMR To Broadcast Past Productions Of Sarasota Opera

Six popular Sarasota Opera past productions will be broadcast on Classical WSMR radio beginning Saturday, October 23rd at 1pm Eastern Time: Verdi's Otello (2012), D'Albert's Tiefland (2018) on October 30th, Puccini's La bohème (2020) on November 6th, Montemezzi's The Love of Three Kings (L'amore dei tre rei) (2017) on November 13th, and more.

Opera Orlando Announces DIE FLEDERMAUS: THE REVENGE OF THE BAT

Opera Orlando has been working closely with Dr. Phillips Center on safety protocols and procedures to get back to live, in-person performances. “In addition to getting input from fellow opera and theater companies who have started to re-open, Opera Orlando is are incorporating CDC recommendations, local official guidance, and input from Company partner Orlando Health in preparing to launch our 2020-21 season in December,” states executive director Gabriel Preisser. “We have taken the time to ensure we have best practices in place as we get back to producing opera and celebrating our fifth anniversary season with five new productions. It is exciting to be back On the MainStage in just a month's time, and I am personally looking forward to seeing everyone there.” 

BWW Review: NABUCCO at Sarasota Opera

Sarasota Opera Triumphs in Verdi's Nabucco

Sarasota Opera Welcomes Back NABUCCO For The First Time Since 1995

Amidst a setting of ancient times, Nabucco-king of Babylon-conquers the Hebrews, destroys their holy temple of Solomon and takes them into captivity. Meanwhile, his daughters Fenena and Abigaille both yearn for the forbidden affection of the Israelite Ismael. Her love unrequited, Abigaille is obsessed with vengeance. In the ultimate act of hubris, Nabucco declares that he is God and is struck mad by a thunderbolt. Will he regain his reason, repent, and return the Jews to their homeland?

Sarasota Opera Announces Cast Change For NABUCCO

Executive Director Richard Russell and Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi have announced that bass baritone Kevin Short will return to Sarasota Opera this season to sing the role of Zaccaria in Sarasota Opera's production of Giuseppe Verdi's Nabucco, opening Saturday, March 2, 2019.

Sarasota Opera Welcomes Back NABUCCO For The First Time Since 1995

Amidst a setting of ancient times, Nabucco-king of Babylon-conquers the Hebrews, destroys their holy temple of Solomon and takes them into captivity. Meanwhile, his daughters Fenena and Abigaille both yearn for the forbidden affection of the Israelite Ismael. Her love unrequited, Abigaille is obsessed with vengeance. In the ultimate act of hubris, Nabucco declares that he is God and is struck mad by a thunderbolt. Will he regain his reason, repent, and return the Jews to their homeland?

Sarasota Opera Opens 60th Season on February 9th

Sarasota Opera will celebrate its 60th Season when the 2019 Winter Opera Festival opens on February 9th with Puccini's Turandot. The festival will continue with Mozart's The Magic Flute, Verdi's Nabucco, and the premiere of a rare and delightful comic double bill: Donizetti's Rita (Two Men and a Woman) and Wolf-Ferrari's Susanna's Secret. Special events, lectures, recitals, and concerts continue through the season. Capping off the festivities will be the Diamond Anniversary recital and dinner on April 5th.

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