Brandon Jovanovich
photo: Kristen Hoebermann
The Santa Fe Opera’s Apprentice Singer program has nurtured some outstanding artists. One of the most successful is Brandon Jovanovich. This gifted tenor has won praise from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and just about every opera blogger on the planet.
One would probably find it difficult to name a major opera house that has not featured Mr. Jovanovich in a principal role. His performances have delighted audiences in New York, London, Paris, Milan, Vienna, Berlin, Munich, Zurich, Beijing, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Seattle, and San Francisco, among others. The list of conductors with whom he has worked is equally impressive. To name a few: Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Donald Runnicles, Daniel Barenboim, Sir Andrew Davis, Fabio Luisi, Placido Domingo, and Phillipe Jordan.
His list of leading roles reads like the Who’s Who of opera characters. This includes Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Don Jose in Carmen, Sigmund in the Ring Cycle, Cavaradossi in Tosca, Florestan in Fidelio, Canio in Pagliacci, as well as title roles in Lohengrin, Parsifal, The Tales of Hoffman, Peter Grimes, and Samson and Delilah.
His work with the Santa Fe Opera has included roles in Semele, Arabella, La belle Hélène, Intermezzo, Carmen, and Madama Butterfly. When we contacted Mr. Jovanovich for permission to run this profile, he enthusiastically recalled time in Santa Fe, writing, “I always have such fond memories of my time in Santa Fe! It was there that I literally learned the ropes about all facets of opera: The up-close work with the amazing casts, directors, and conductors. The phenomenal staff and crews that assemble each year to add their respective expertise. The opportunities to coach, to work with professionals on our craft in such an intimate and safe environment. Then to top it all off, you are spending the summer in one of the most glorious places on earth. I can’t find the superlatives to convey my gratitude and warm feelings!”
The New York Times compared Mr. Jovanovich to Jonas Kaufmann, citing his excellent musicianship, dramatic stage presence, and movie star looks. The Billings, Montana native started college on an athletic scholarship, dreaming of a career with the NFL. That morphed into undergraduate studies in music and drama at Northern Arizona University, followed by graduate work at the Manhattan School of Music.
In addition to the Santa Fe Opera’s program for Apprentice Singers in 1996 and 1997, Mr. Jovanovich’s early career included a stint with the Seattle Opera’s then-nascent young artist program. He won the New York City District award in the Met’s National Council Auditions in 1998 and 1999 and earned the prestigious ARIA Award in 2004 and Richard Tucker award in 2007.