Angus Kenneth Stuart is a well-known tenor critically acclaimed in both stage and concert productions.
His piano and conducting background prepared him to begin a career as an oratorio singer, and he studied baroque ornamentation with the late John Craven and noted soprano Julianne Baird. Private vocal training with August Gerhardt-Olly, Ivanovich Roschottka, and Jack B. Morris led him to complete his vocal and musical studies at the University of Music in Graz with conductor Wolfgang Schmid in Austria.
His imposing 6'4" stature, natural acting skills, and the gift of a beautiful lyric voice opened opportunities in opera, operetta, and musicals. Stuart was chosen by the late Canadian composer Jean Coulthard to create the role of "Clym" in the debut performance of her opera "Return of the Native". He also performed the role of "The Lawyer" in the North American premier of Harrison Birtwistle's opera "Punch and Judy". He sang Alfred in the gold cast of Die Fledermaus at the Meran Palace in Graz, and won the Graz Cathedral Oratorio Competition.
Stuart began to perform Rossini and Gilbert and Sullivan roles, and is also in demand for musicals and operetta.
As a tenor with an easy high C and facility in acting and coloratura, he is well-suited to oratorio, lieder, light opera, and operetta.
German opera houses catagorize singers according to vocal size and color, and Stuart's "faecher" (German for catagories) are spieltenor and lyric tenor. (The Italian term for spieltenor is "tenore di grazia"). A spieltenor sings lighter roles which require acting and dancing skill, and youthful, flexible vocal color; a lyric tenor has a voice with fuller, more romantic color, and is often the leading male singer.
Angus Stuart sings roles from both these catagories.
Some recent roles have included Frederick in Pirates of Penzance, Marco in Gondoliers, Fairfax in Yeoman of the Guard, and Ralph in HMS Pinafore; the Prince in Cinderella (Rossini), Robinson in Robinson Crusoe (Offenbach), and Fenton in The Merry Wives of Windsor; soloist in The Messiah, The Creation, and Evangelist in The St. John Passion and Schuetz Christmas Oratorio; and in musicals, The Caliph in Kismet, Freddy in My Fair Lady, and Charlie in Brigadoon.
Mr. Stuart has also performed the role of Sid Sorokin in Pajama game. He recently performed the Dichterliebe song cycle by Schumann in Richmond, and there have been several Vancouver concert appearances with Opera Appassionata.
He has over sixty oratorio roles and forty stage roles to his credit.
"I love to sing, and attempt to follow the traditions of "bel canto. For me, this means to focus on beauty of sound and clarity of diction. Singing is the expression of joy, and communication with the audience is all-important The audience must understand every word and share each emotion that the composer intended to convey. Singers must be able to act, and communicate the joy of music and life to the audience".
Angus Stuart performed the role of the Witch in the recent production with orchestra by Opera Appassionata: of Hansel and Grrretel at the
Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre, and VCC Auditorium in Vancouver B.C.
His concert performance with soprano Leane Page May 10, 2008 and pianist/conductor Frank Klassen was a wonderful collaboration. This was followed by a performance of the song cycle Die Schoene Muellerin.
Last summer, Mr. Stuart directed the world premier of the opera "Spirit Moon" by Patricia Dahlquist and George Austin at the Surrey Arts Centre Theatre, and on location at Fort Langley.
Stuart will was the evangelist in the Schuetz Christmas Oratorio in December 2008 in Vancouver, and will sing at the Simmons Concerts in January.
Ticket information is avaialable at http://www.operaappassionata.org/index.html
His next performances are soloing in christmas concerts over the holiday season.
Angus Stuart is a Canadian tenor who has performed in the U.S.A., Austria, Germany, and Italy.
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