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Yazid Gray, baritone |
Yazid Gray is a third-year Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist baritone. His roles this season include Second Priest in The Magic Flute, the Woodcutter/Outlaw in In A Grove, Dancäire in Carmen and Policeman/Buddy #3 in Blue.
In the 2020-21 season, he played Guiglielmo in Così fan tutte, the Soldier in Soldier Songs, Athamus in Semele, and Dizzy Gillespie in Charlie Parker's Yardbird.
During the summer of 2020, Yazid was set to return to Chautauqua Opera to sing the roles of Sciarrone in Tosca and Herman Atlan in The Mother of Us All. He was also scheduled to perform on their Afternoon of Song concert series. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those productions and performances had to be canceled. In lieu of these performances, he participated as a featured young artist in their digital season. In the summer of 2019, he made his debut with the company singing Fiorello in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia.
In the 2018-2019 season, Mr. Gray sang the role of Bello/La Fanciulla del West with Maryland Lyric Opera. He then went on to join Opera Santa Barbara as a member of their Chrisman Studio Artist program. During his time there, he performed the roles of Schaunard/La bohème, Zaretski and the Captain/Eugene Onegin, Le Podestat/Le docteur Miracle, and Thomas Putnam/The Crucible.
Yazid made his professional debut in the summer of 2018 as Charlie in Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers with Opera Maine. The production toured throughout the Portland, ME area.
Yazid received his Bachelor of Music in Voice from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN and is a graduate of University of Michigan where he received his Master of Music in Voice. His credits at Michigan include Oliver Jordan in the Michigan premiere of William Bolcom’s Dinner at Eight, Mercutio/Roméo et Juliette, and Demetrius/A Midsummer’s Night Dream. In his last year, Yazid performed in the University Musical Society’s concert of Porgy and Bess as Frazier and the Undertaker.
Also comfortable on the musical theater stage, Yazid has performed roles such as Jim Conley in Parade, Hunter Bell [title of show], Al in The Most Happy Fella and Ivor in Babes in Arms.
Mr. Gray's Residency is generously co-sponsored by John and Virginia DiPucci and Alice Victoria Gelormino.
Yazid Gray sings about the perils of fatherhood in Blue (photo credit: David Bachman)
"The delightful Act II quintet was sung by Švēde, Heater, Filloux, Gray and Turner in a manner I’ve never heard emanate live from a stage. It was one of the most brilliant moments of the evening." - onStage Pittsburgh
"Yazid Gray gave a polished performance of his roles, his warm baritone sound rolling through" -onStage Pittsburgh
Yazid Gray, Center, as the Second Priest in The Magic Flute. Photo by David Bachman.
Yazid Gray "whose rich, warm voice grows more appealing with each acquaintance" played as Athamus in Semele
Yazid Gray as Dizzy Gillespie in Charlie Parker's Yardbird "The scenes with Dizzy (played with gusto by Yazid Gray) are by turns fun explorations of their bebopping friendship and serious messages about how Black musicians struggled during segregation."
Yazid Gray in Soldiers Songs: "Gray was a vocal chameleon, who effectively produced the clear, penetrating sounds of a boy at play, as well as the commanding voice of a warrior."
Yazid Gray in Cosi fan tutte as Guglielmo 'sang with a baritone voice of fine quality and warmth' said Pittsburgh in the Round.
Yazid Gray in Alcina
