Michael Wanko

Baritone Michael Wanko has the unique ability to perform within the dramatic repertoire in addition to the major buffo and comedic roles in bel canto works.   In spring 2001, Mr. Wanko made his New York City Opera debut as Leporello DON GIOVANNI.  He repeated the role for New York City Opera in the spring of 2002 as well as singing the role of Sacristan TOSCA, a role he will perform in his debut with the New York Philharmonic in concert performances conducted by Lorin Maazel later this season. 

Baritone Michael Wanko has the unique ability to perform within the dramatic repertoire in addition to the major buffo and comedic roles in bel canto works.   In spring 2001, Mr. Wanko made his New York City Opera debut as Leporello DON GIOVANNI.  He repeated the role for New York City Opera in the spring of 2002 as well as singing the role of Sacristan TOSCA, a role he will perform in his debut with the New York Philharmonic in concert performances conducted by Lorin Maazel later this season. 

Michael Wanko returned to New York City Opera in the fall of 2002 as Bartolo LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, Marco GIANNI SCHICCHI while also covering the title role and again as Leporello DON GIOVANNI. This season Mr. Wanko performs the role of the Sacristan TOSCA for the Utah Symphony & Opera and Knoxville Opera as well as Dulcamara L'ELISIR D'AMORE with Opera Santa Barbara. Of his performance of Dulcamara a critic noted he, "gave the evening's most accomplished performance... he was funny and touching, and he sang with maturity and experience."

During New York City Opera's 2003-2004 season he again sang Bartolo and the Sacristan as well as covering the role of Candy in Floyd's OF MICE AND MEN.  Mr. Wanko made debuts with both Lake George Opera singing Dulcamara L'ELISIR D'AMORE as well for the Utah Symphony & Opera singing Sir Joseph Porter H.M.S. PINAFORE.  In 2005 he made a "show stealing" debut with the Anchorage Opera as Leporello and debuted with the New Jersey Symphony as the Sacristan TOSCA.  In 2001 he sang his first GIANNI SCHICCHI for Longview Opera in Texas.  He returned to The Utah Symphony and Opera as Ko-Ko THE MIKADO and the Sacristan TOSCA at the New York City Opera.

Mr. Wanko later performed a duet concert with Theresa Santiago for Volkswagen in Hamburg, Germany.  His European debut took place in Lucca, Italy, as Don Magnifico LA CENERENTOLA, followed by the Barga Music Festival.  Mr. Wanko debuted at Carnegie Hall in a staged version of  IL SIGNOR BRUSCHINO with the Orpheus Chamber Ensemble.  Other companies with which Mr. Wanko has appeared include the Aspen Music Festival, Eugene Opera, and the Utah Opera Ensemble.

His 2005-2006 season included engagements at Opera Idaho as Ko-Ko THE MIKADO and a return to The Utah Symphony and Opera as the Major-General PIRATES OF PENZANCE.  He also returned to Opera East Texas to reprise the role of the Sacristan TOSCA.  Mr. Wanko's engagements last season included the roles of  Sir Joseph Porter H.M.S. PINAFORE with the Anchorage Opera and The Duke of Plaza-Toro THE GONDOLIERS with the Utah Symphony & Opera.