Gregg Baker

A baritone of imposing voice and stature, Gregg Baker continues to make an indelible mark on the world of opera theater. Since his opera debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1985, Gregg has performed leading roles at Vienna Staatsoper, Arena di Verona, Glyndebourne Opera, Hamburg Opera, New Israeli Opera, Stuttgart Opera, Frankfurt Opera, Vancouver Opera, Baden-Baden Opera, Covent Garden, Scottish National Opera, New York City Opera, Michigan Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and Greater Miami Opera.

Mr. Baker recently debuted the role of Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera for the Opera Company of Philadelphia. He also performed the world-premiere series of Margaret Garner in Philadelphia and with the New York City Opera, and sang Amonasro for Michigan Opera Theatre’s Aida. Recent engagements also include Amonasro for Florida Grand Opera, Crown in a concert version of Porgy and Bess for Opera Pacific, and Porgy for Opera Company of Philadelphia. Mr. Baker also sings the title role in Macbeth with Memphis Opera and Margaret Garner with Michigan Opera Theater. In November 2008 he performed Joe in a concert version of Show Boat at the Kennedy Center conducted by Marvin Hamlisch.

A successful veteran of Broadway and a Lawrence Olivier Award nominee, Mr. Baker discovered his gift for and love of opera while performing the role of Crown in Porgy and Bess. The Metropolitan Opera heard his performance in Radio City Music Hall’s production of Porgy and Bess and immediately engaged him for their own production.

In addition to his opera performances, Mr. Baker has performed and recorded with leading orchestras—including the London Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Danish Symphony, and Radio Stuttgart Symphony—and with conductors such as James Levine, Simon Rattle, Zubin Mehta, Andre Previn, and Lorin Maazel. Mr. Baker has worked with the renowned stage directors Otto Schenk, the late Pierre Ponelle, Nathaniel Merrill, and Franco Zefferelli.

Other career highlights include a Grammy nomination in 1986, numerous engagements with Opera Company of Philadelphia, and repeat appearances in Europe.