About Blake Denson
About Blake
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Official Biography
One of the most exciting vocal talents to emerge in recent seasons globally, Blake Denson, described as a "roaring baritone"(Klassik begeistert), is praised for his "captivating dramatic interpretations" with “a striking upper register“ and "a sound that boomed to the back of the house” (Opera Wire). Recently, was nominated with the cast of Das Rheingold at English National Opera for an Oliver Award and won a South Bank Sky Award in the United Kingdom. Mr. Denson was named a winner of The Richard Tucker- Sarah Tucker Grant Award, The George London Foundation, The International Concurs Tenor Viñas Competition, and the winner in The Dallas Opera National Vocal Competition. Mr. Denson was also a Grand Finalist winner of the 2020 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
In the upcoming 2024-2025 season Mr. Denson will make his house debut at Opera de National Paris sing the role of Monterone while covering the role of Rigoletto in the same production. Mr. Denson also will continue his relationship with The Metropolitan Opera singing the role of Monterone in their production of Rigoletto. Later in the season he will make another house debut with the Los Angeles Opera singing the role of Monterone in their production of Rigoletto. On the Orchestra circuit Mr. Denson will make his debut with the Grand Rapids Orchestra as the Baritone Soloist in Carmina Burana.
In the 2023-2024 season Mr. Denson made is Metropolitan Opera debut singing the role of Prince Yamadori in the beloved production of Madama Butterfly. He performed in the new opera Fire Shut up In My Bones singing two roles, Pastor and Kaboom. Mr. Denson return back to his home company of Houston Grand Opera to star in the opera Falstaff for his role debut of Ford. Mr. Denson also made another exciting debut with the New Orleans Opera singing alongside Lissette Oropesa in a gala event. Closing out the Mr. Denson will return to Wolf Trap Opera to sing in two production: Marcello in La Boheme and Mother in Seven Deadly Sins. Lastly, He will end his season making his debut with The National Symphony singing the Bass Solo in Beethoven's 9th Symphony.
In the 2022-2023 season, Mr. Denson made his german house debut in La fanciulla del West with the Bayerische Staatsoper singing the role of Larkens. Mr Denson also was heard in many performances with the Hamburg Staatsoper as he joined the company in a fest position for the season. He made is debut in a new production of Carmen singing the role of Moralès while covering Escamillo. Some other important roles Mr. Denson sung with the company in the season include: Paolo in Simon Boccanegra, Monterone in Rigoletto, and Angelotti in Tosca. He debuted with the English National Opera singing the role of Donner in their new production of Das Rheingold. He then joined the Washington National Opera for their production of La bohème as he took on the role of Shaunard. Mr. Denson will also debuted with The Santa Opera in two different productions that summer. He sang the roles of Angelotti in Tosca and Plutone in Orfeo. In symphonic works, Mr. Denson performed Mahler's Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen as he returned home to the Paducah Symphony.
In the 2021-2022 season, Mr. Denson returned to the Houston Grand Opera Studio where he finish his final season with the company as a studio artist. Mr. Denson sung scenes from Rigoletto in the Studio Showcase. He then sung the role of Moralès while covering the role of Escamillo. In the winter, he performed the role of Daddy/Tim in the world premiere of The Snowy Day. Mr. Denson also performed the role of the Jailor in Dialogues of the Carmelites. In the Spring, Mr. Denson sung the role of Gregorio in two different productions of Romeo and Juliet. For the 2022 summer, Mr. Denson will made is company debut with Des Moines Metro Opera singing the role of Jake in Porgy and Bess. It is notable that Mr. Denson was apart of this production with the opera legend Simon Estes, who retired his operatic career at the conclusion of this engagement.
In the 2020-2021 season, Mr. Denson was a Studio Artist in the prestigious Houston Grand Opera Studio. He made his company debut in the Studio Scenes Showcase singing the roles of Don Giovanni, Ramiro from L’heure espagnole, and Dancaire from Carmen. He performed Father in Hansel and Gretel, covered the role of Daddy/Tim in the world premiere of The Snowy Day, and was a feature soloist in the Giving Voice Concert and Suite Española Concert. Mr. Denson also competed and was a winner in multiple competitions in the 2020-2021 season. Some of those include: The Pasadena Competition, NOA Competition, Opera Mississippi Competition, Opera Ithica, Annapolis Opera, Partners for the Arts, Gilbert and Sullivan, Orpheus Vocal Competition, and Perfect Day Music Foundation.
Mr. Denson's 2019-2020 season started with him returning to Rice University for his final year of his master’s program at the Shepherd's School of Music. He competed and was named a second-place winner for the Houston Saegebund Vocal Competition. In the summer of 2019 Mr. Denson was a member of the Wolf Trap Opera Studio program where he covered the title role of Emperor Kaiser in Emperor Kaiser der von Atlantis and Pierot in L'île de Merlin. He returned to Wolf Trap Opera for the 2020 summer season to perform as Captain in Eugene Onegin, covering Marcello in La bohème, and the title role of Onegin in Eugene Onegin. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Mr. Denson was not able to perform these roles but did attend the Wolf Trap Opera 2020 summer and performed video recorded scenes from Eugene Onegin, La bohème, and The Crucible.
The 2018-2019 season included him earning his bachelor’s degree in music performance from the University of Kentucky. While at the University of Kentucky he performed in productions such as Joe in Show Boat and Dottore Grenvil in La traviata. Mr. Denson also workshopped and starred in the world premiere of Bounce the Basketball Opera composed by the late Glen Roven. Shortly after graduating from the University of Kentucky he participated in the Houston Grand Opera Young Artist Vocal Academy. Other highlights of the 2018-2019 season included his debut with the Shepherd School of Music Opera at Rice University. He performed in their production of La Calisto as Mercurio as well as Elder McLean in Susannah.
Mr. Denson is a native of Paducah, Kentucky but currently resides in Houston, Texas with his family. He is a proud Christian man that loves to spend time with his family. Mr. Denson is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. by way the EXalted Epsilon Chi chapter at the University of Kentucky. Mr. Denson uses his gifts and influence to present the same grace, love, and hope that was given to him through Jesus Christ. He is grateful and thankful for every one that has poured into his life.