Torrance Blaisdell

Tenor Torrance Blaisdell has appeared on numerous opera stages throughout the United States.  In the past two seasons he has performed in the world premire of David DiChiera's CYRANO with Michigan Opera Theatre and with the Opera Company of Philadelphia and also in Michigan he performed Don Basilio THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO and was featured in their production of Richard Danielpour's MARGARET GARNER, which had an extended run in Chicago.  He made his debuts with the National Symphony Orchestra in a concert version of SALOME conducted by Leonard Slatkin and Opéra de Monte-Carlo as Haushofmeister von Faninal DER ROSENKAVALIER, and he made a role debut as Monostatos THE MAGIC FLUTE with Intermountain Opera.  During the 2009-2010 season Mr. Blaisdell will return to Arizona Opera for SALOME and to sing the role of Baron Buck in Offenbach's LA GRANDE-DUCHESSE DE GÉROLSTEIN with Opera Boston after a thrilling performance as the Nose in Shostakovich's THE NOSE with the company last season. 

Tenor Torrance Blaisdell has appeared on numerous opera stages throughout the United States.  In the past two seasons he has performed in the world premire of David DiChiera's CYRANO with Michigan Opera Theatre and with the Opera Company of Philadelphia and also in Michigan he performed Don Basilio THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO and was featured in their production of Richard Danielpour's MARGARET GARNER, which had an extended run in Chicago.  He made his debuts with the National Symphony Orchestra in a concert version of SALOME conducted by Leonard Slatkin and Opéra de Monte-Carlo as Haushofmeister von Faninal DER ROSENKAVALIER, and he made a role debut as Monostatos THE MAGIC FLUTE with Intermountain Opera.  During the 2009-2010 season Mr. Blaisdell will return to Arizona Opera for SALOME and to sing the role of Baron Buck in Offenbach's LA GRANDE-DUCHESSE DE GÉROLSTEIN with Opera Boston after a thrilling performance as the Nose in Shostakovich's THE NOSE with the company last season. 

In the 2006 season he made his debut with Opera Boston singing the role of King Ouf L'ETOILE, and returned to Michigan Opera Theater to sing the 3^rd Jew SALOME and Rageneau in the workshop of David DiChiera's new opera CYRANO.  In 2005 he sang Spoletta TOSCA also with Michigan Opera Theater and returned to Des Moines Metro Opera to sing Master of Ceremonies GLORIANA, Normanno LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR and Spalanzani LES CONTES D'HOFFMANN.  He also had his debut with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in SALOME.

In 2004 Mr. Blaisdell sang Borsa RIGOLETTO with Michigan Opera Theater. He was heard as the 2^nd Jew SALOME with Kentucky Opera, and moved on to Reverend Paris THE CRUCIBLE with Toledo Opera. He has performed Goro MADAME BUTTERFLY with Lyric Opera, Dublin Ireland in February 2003 and Baltimore Opera later that spring.  He repeated the role of Goro with Michigan Opera Theater as well as the Judge/Servant in UN BALLO IN MASCHERA.

Mr. Blaisdell has appeared with Glimmerglass Opera as King Ouf L'ETOILE, Iro IL RITORNO D'ULISSE IN PATRIA, 2^nd Frisbee Player CENTRAL PARK and for Toledo Opera he sang the role of Basilio LE NOZZE DI FIGARO.  For American Opera Projects he appeared as Santa A FLURRY TALE and in the role of Pirelli SWEENEY TODD for Dartmouth College. 

His roles with New York City Opera have included Pong TURANDOT and Andres/Cochenile/Frantz LES CONTES D'HOFFMANN and among his roles for Central City Opera are Captain Duvall THE NEW MOON, Larry/Matt FACE ON THE BARROOM FLOOR and Old Silver Miner/President Arthur and Mayor of Leadville THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE.  He sang Gherardo GIANNI SCHICCHI for both Toledo Opera and Sarasota Opera and appeared as Tenor Priest/Guard DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE for Sarasota Opera as an apprentice artist.  Among his roles for Des Moines Metro Opera are Pong TURANDOT, Pirelli SWEENEY TODD, Don Curzio LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, Old Silver Miner THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE and Little Old Man L'ENFANT ET LES SORTILEGES.  He appeared with the State Repertory Opera as Janek THE BARTERED BRIDE and with Dartmouth Symphony as Jaquino FIDELIO.  For Opera North he has sung Parpignol LA BOHÈME, Goro MADAMA BUTTERFLY, Mr Splinters THE TENDER LAND, Remendado CARMEN and Larry/Matt FACE ON THE BARROOM FLOOR.

In past seasons roles included Spoleta TOSCA, Snout A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and both Haushofmeisters and Der Wirt DER ROSENKAVALIER all for Florentine Opera.  He has also sung the role King Ouf L'ETOILE at Glimmerglass Opera under the direction of Stewart Robertson.  At New York City Opera, Torrance was 3^rd Jew SALOME and Howard Boucher DEAD MAN WALKING.

Torrance Blaisdell has also appeared on television as 2^nd Frisbee Player Great Performances on PBS and he took part in the recording of THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE for Newport Classics, singing Old Silver Miner, President Arthur and the Mayor of Leadville.  His appearances for New England Conservatory Opera Theater were as First Officer LES DIALOGUES DES CARMELITES, and Sellem THE RAKE'S PROGRESS.