Paul Appleby

Paul Appleby is a renowned American opera singer, particularly recognized for his work in the lyric tenor repertoire. He has performed with numerous prestigious companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Appleby's vocal talent has been praised by critics and audiences alike, with comparisons to notable tenors such as Juan Diego Flórez and Lawrence Brownlee. His performances have been conducted by esteemed maestros like James Levine and Riccardo Muti.

● Early Life and Education

Paul Appleby was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and began his musical training at a young age, studying at the Curtis Institute of Music and later at the Juilliard School. He was a member of the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, where he honed his craft alongside other emerging artists like Susanna Phillips and Isabel Leonard. Appleby's education also included participation in the Wolf Trap Opera Company and the Santa Fe Opera's apprentice program, where he worked with conductors such as Alan Gilbert and Patrick Summers.

● Career

Appleby's professional career has taken him to many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Royal Opera, London, Teatro alla Scala, and Bavarian State Opera. He has performed a wide range of roles, from Mozart's Tamino in The Magic Flute to Stravinsky's Tom Rakewell in The Rake's Progress. Appleby has also appeared in concert with major orchestras like the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Berlin Philharmonic, under the batons of conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel and Simon Rattle. His collaborations have included working with directors like Robert Lepage and William Kentridge, and singing alongside renowned singers like Renée Fleming and Thomas Hampson.

● Discography

Appleby's discography includes recordings of Handel's Alcina with Joyce DiDonato and Alice Coote, as well as Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream with Iestyn Davies and Sasha Cooke. He has also recorded Schubert's Die schöne Müllerin with pianist Natalie Murray Beale, and Fauré's La bonne chanson with the Brentano String Quartet. Appleby's recordings have been released on labels such as Decca Records, Erato Records, and Harmonia Mundi, and have featured the accompaniment of ensembles like the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.

● Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Appleby has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Richard Tucker Award and the George London Foundation award. He has also been recognized with a Grammy Award nomination for his recording of Adès's The Tempest with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Appleby has been praised by critics in publications like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Opera News, and has been named one of the most promising young singers by Opera Magazine and Classical Music Magazine. His performances have been broadcast on radio stations like WQXR and BBC Radio 3, and have been featured on television programs such as Great Performances and The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD.

● Personal Life

Appleby currently resides in New York City, where he is active in the city's vibrant musical community. He has performed at various benefit concerts and events, including those supporting organizations like the Metropolitan Opera Guild and the Juilliard School. Appleby has also been involved in educational outreach programs, working with institutions like the Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute and the Lincoln Center's Arts Education Program. His interests outside of music include hiking and traveling, and he has been known to perform in outdoor concerts and festivals, such as the Tanglewood Music Festival and the Glimmerglass Festival.