About
Praised for his “rich, elegant” voice, Romanian-American bass-baritone Alex Soare thrills audiences around the world. Born in Brasov, Romania and raised in Chicago, IL, Soare returned to Brasov to begin his vocal studies at Universitatea Transilvania, then continued his training in Salzburg, Austria at the Mozarteum before returning to complete his Master’s Degree at Northwestern University. This “stand out” singer has impressed at home and abroad being a finalist rank in Barcelona at the Francisco Viñas International Singing Competition, the Marcello Giordani Vocal Competition and earning Third Place in prestigious Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition.
In Opera Hong Kong’s Don Giovanni, Soare was "riveting” in his debut as Leporello, a role he has since reprised to great acclaim with Opera Carolina and Opera Grand Rapids. Other recent highlights include his Carnegie Hall debut with On Site Opera as Der Tod in Der Kaiser von Atlantis, Escamillo in Carmen with Anchorage Opera, Don Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, and was seen in Chicago Opera Theater’s Carmen and Becoming Santa Claus. As a soloist, he performed in the concert Shakespeare in Cleveland with CIM.
This season he will make debuts as Angelotti in Tosca with Madison Opera, several roles in The Nose with Chicago Opera Theater and the title role in Le Nozze di Figaro with Opera Roanoke.
Most recently, Mr. Soare performed the role of Sulpice in La fille du Regiment with Opera Saratoga, Opera North and Kenosha Opera Festival, Colline in La bohème with Finger Lakes Opera, the Father in Hansel and Gretel with Brava Opera, and the role of John in the world première of American Gothical and Sultry Night Farmhand in the world première of 8 Woods and a Van both with Cedar Rapids Opera Theater.
With Florida Grand Opera, he performed Don Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia, First SS Officer in The Passenger, Zuniga in Carmen, Prince Gremin in Eugene Onegin, Tom in Un ballo in maschera, and appeared in the world premiere of Before Night Falls. At Nashville Opera, he sang the role of Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance, and with at Des Moines Metro Opera he covered the roles of Jack Rance in La fanciulla del West, Orest in Elektra and Capulet in Roméo et Juliette. He also participated in the Aspen Music Festival performing the role of Prince Gremin in Eugene Onegin and Escamillo in Carmen.
Other engagements included; der Sprecher in Die Zauberflöte and Elisha Fitzgibbon/Legs Diamond in a world premiere workshop Rosco with Opera Saratoga and Dulcamara in L’elisir d’amore with Opera Iowa. Earlier role highlights included the title role in Gianni Schicchi, Superintendent Budd in Albert Herring, and King Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors.
In addition to successful runs at the Viñas, Giordani and Jensen competitions, Soare has received awards from the Mary Jacobs Smith Singer of the Year competition, the Metropolitan Opera National Council, the Pantazelos Performing Artists Foundation, the National Society of Arts and Letters, the Bel Canto Foundation, the Sherrill Milnes Opera Idol Competition, and the Romanian National Song Competition.
Reviews
These are headliners, and including rising star Alex Soare (Escamillo), these are legends. This degree of above-the-line casting is alone worth making every effort to see the production…
The character of Escamillo is always a favorite, and Alex Soare is no exception as he dazzled the audience with his charming Toreador Song, “Votre toast, je peux vous le rende,” winning more hearts than Carmen’s!
- American Press Wire
Carmen, Anchorage Opera
"The opera begins with Leporello, servant to the titular character, singing of a wish to be free of his master. This production is set in contemporary times, as his clothes make clear; he might have been an Eastern European man headed for a night at the club. Alex Soare portrayed him convincingly, his rich voice investing the character with dignity and even nobility."
- The Rapidian
Don Giovanni, Opera Grand Rapids
"Soare was startlingly convincing as Leporello when the servant was called upon to masquerade as his master."
- CVNC
Don Giovanni, Opera Carolina
"Alex Soare’s Leporello, on the other hand, was a lout who looked like a sailor on the lam. Vocally and dramatically, the two formed a riveting pair."
- Asian Review of Books
Don Giovanni, Opera Hong Kong
"Alex Soare glories in all the comic wickedness of Mustafa."
Steve Callahan KDHX St. Louis
"Some very fine voices here, Tombaugh, Schmidt, and Soare in particular, working the zippy, tuneful score. Soare is wonderfully glowering as the bey."
Ann Lemons Pollack St. Louis Eats and Drinks
"There’s also fine work by bass-baritone Alex Soare as the imperious but easily duped Mustafa, whose thick-witted ways offer a suitable contrast to the quick-thinking Isabella."
Mark Bretz Ladue News
"Soare finds the right element of gratitude and the necessary pinch of worry that Gremin finds in his unexpected marriage; greatly moving and beautifully sung."
- Concerto Net, Jeff Haller
Eugene Onegin, Florida Grand Opera
“Alex Soare, does not enter until the next to final scene, as Tatyana's husband. He has my personal favorite aria, and sings it magnificently. Stentorian, yet emotional, he essentially stands still and breaks your heart."
- Talk in Broadway
Eugene Onegin, Florida Grand Opera
"Alex Soare had the dignified bearing for Prince Gremin and his low bass notes and lyric line communicated his love for Tatyana."
- South Florida Classical Review
Eugene Onegin, Florida Grand Opera
"As the officer Zuniga, the bass-baritone Alex Soare brought assurance befitting his rank as he tried to replace Don José in Carmen’s life."
- South Florida Classical Review
Carmen, Florida Grand Opera
"A particular delight was bass-baritone Alex Soare as Sergeant Sulpice, Marie’s father-figure. Soare’s deep vocal and physical presence seemed to anchor the performance." - Times Argus
Daughter of the Regiment, Opera North
"American bass-baritone Alex Soare, showed off an impressive voice in his few lines as an SS man (he was quite a good Don Basilio earlier in the season for FGO’s Barber of Seville)."
- Palm Beach Arts Paper
The Passenger, Florida Grand Opera
"Alex Soare, as Don Basilio, here reconceived as a photographer as well as a music master, demonstrated a rich, elegant bass-baritone"
- Palm Beach Arts Paper
Barber of Seville, Florida Grand Opera
"Alex Soare, tall, lithe and thin, was refreshing in his characterization of the music coach and paparazzi, Don Basilio. His big instrument brought delicious slime to La calunnia è un venticello."
- Miami Art Zine
Barber of Seville, Florida Grand Opera