Michael Redding

Atlanta native baritone, Michael Redding, has been thrilling audiences across Europe and America since his first performance as Crown Porgy and Bess in 2004 with New York Harlem Productions. Having performed many roles in Porgy and Bess, including the title role with Virginia Opera and Atlanta Opera in 2009/2010, he continues to be sought after for his captivating portrayal of Crown. He first caught America's attention in the role with Seattle Opera in 2012, followed by performances with Toledo Opera, Princeton Festival, Syracuse Opera, and the National Philharmonic. Alongside staged productions of Porgy and Bess, Mr. Redding has performed the work in concert version with the Berlin Philharmonic, Sydney Opera Orchestra, Belarus Symphony, Madison Symphony, and the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano.

Currently, the American baritone is scheduled to sing the role of Omar's brother in Spoleto Festival's premiere of Omar in 2022, and has recently created the role of Uncle Paul in Fire Shut Up in My Bones with Opera Theatre of St. Louis. After a rave success as Marcello in Piedmont Opera's 2018 production of La Boheme, a company with whom he has also sung the roles of Escamillo Carmen, the title role of Don Giovanni, Pirate King Pirates of Penzance, and Carl Magnus A Little Night Music, he returned to Madison Symphony to perform as the baritone soloist in Mahler's 8th Symphony of a Thousand.

Mr. Redding holds degrees from North Carolina School of the Arts and Indina University, where he trained under legendary singers Giorgio Tozzi and Virginia Zeani, and recieved extensive training with Chautauqua Opera and Sarasota Opera. Currently he teaches in Colorado Springs with the Vocal Arts Festival.