The Texas Opera Alliance has named bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green will be its first Artist in Residence.
Green is a well-known singer who has performed at the Wiener Staatsoper, Metropolitan Opera, Salzburg Festival, Houston Grand Opera, and OPERA San Antonio, among others. And he is also well known for his singular path to the opera world that began in a juvenile detention facility and carried him from solitary confinement to stardom. Green’s gripping life story is the subject of a best–selling book, “Sing for Your Life: A Story of Race, Music, and Family,” which has recently been adapted for the stage.
“I am excited to spend these weeks in the great state of Texas, and I am grateful to partner with the wonderful companies who make up the Texas Opera Alliance as the very first artist in residence,” said Green in a press statement.
“Throughout my life, I’ve been very fortunate to have a series of mentors and educators who have guided me in my journey. I’m very happy to have the opportunity through this partnership to provide this same kind of mentorship to the young people of Texas. I’m hopeful that by sharing my journey during these events with young artists, incarcerated youth, and musicians from all walks of life, I can help them learn from my story and provide inspire the next generation.”
The two-week residency begins March 12. Green will be based in Austin and use Austin Opera’s Indy Terrace rehearsal studio to participates virtually in a variety of outreach and performance programs for the Alliance’s five-member companies, Austin Opera, The Dallas Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and OPERA San Antonio. The residency concludes Green’s performance at the end of the month in Austin Opera’s An All-Star Concert.
You can see Green’s artistry and life story in a recent episode of “Live from Indy Terrace,” featuring Green and Bergner in conversation with Austin Opera General Director & CEO Annie Burridge. It’s available for on-demand viewing on the company’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
The Texas Opera Alliance launched in October 2020 when Texas’ five major opera companies formed a new partnership.
