photo credit: Daniel Welch Media

Nathaniel Sullivan is a musician, theatre artist, and writer devoted to holding space for reflection, understanding, and creative projects that champion change. An "alert and highly musical baritone" (Opera News), Sullivan infuses his work with  "impressive strength and precision" (Schmopera), as well as “great eloquence” (ConcertoNet) and "allegiance to both music and words" (ConcertoNet). With a particular devotion to the operatic repertoire of the 21st Century, Sullivan has performed the roles of the King in the North American premiere of George Benjamin's Lessons in Love and Violence, Harvey Milk in the world premiere of Stewart Wallace's Harvey Milk Reimagined (covered), Hannah-Younger in Kaminsky/Campbell/Reed's As One, and Manfred in Jake Heggie's Two Remain. He was a Vocal Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in 2018 and 2019, a Gerdine Young Artist at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis in 2022, and a Vocal Fellow at the Ravinia Steans Music Institute in 2023.

 

As the King in the North American premiere of Lessons in Love and Violence, conducted by George Benjamin (photo credit: Hilary Scott)

In addition to music theatre, Sullivan engages in many oratorio and concert performances around the country. He made his Carnegie Hall solo debut in 2018, performing Gerald Finzi’s Requiem da Camera “with great eloquence” (ConcertoNet) alongside the NY Choral Society. Sullivan has joined the Blanche Moyse Chorale & Memorial Orchestra in performances of J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor—bringing “natural expressiveness and warmth” to the “Et in Spiritum Sanctum” (Rutland Herald)—as well as numerous concerts featuring the cantatas of Bach—singing with a “warm lyricism” and “expressive presence” (Rutland Herald). Other orchestral highlights include Frank Martin's Sechs Monologe aus Jedermann with The Orchestra Now and HK Gruber's Frankenstein!! with Maestro James Bagwell. For this performance, Sullivan was regarded as "ebullient" and "a marvelous actor" (ConcertoNet), putting on “a virtuoso show in the part” (The Berkshire Eagle). Sullivan is a regular member of the Cleveland-based Baroque ensemble Apollo's Fire (led by Jeannette Sorrell) as well as the NYC-based ensemble Musica Sacra (led by Kent Tritle).

 

World premiere of Matthew Greenbaum’s Crossing Brooklyn Ferry with the Momenta Quartet, conducted by David Bloom

Sullivan also takes great interest in the art song and chamber repertoires, with a particular focus on recently composed works. Alongside the acclaimed Momenta Quartet, he premiered Matthew Greenbaum's Crossing Brooklyn Ferry in 2019 as part of Momenta's 15-year anniversary festival. Other chamber premieres include Oliver Leith's Dream Horse with conductor Thomas Adès, Gary Fagin's Jumping Mouse with the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra, two works by Joshua Groffman and Lawrence Kramer with the ensemble Contemporaneous at Carnegie Hall, and Songs of the Earth with members of the Albany Symphony. Sullivan's initial foray into the chamber repertoire was a 2016 performance of Milton Babbitt's Two Sonnets for baritone, clarinet, viola, and cello.

 

Finals concert for the 2019 Lyndon Woodside Oratorio Solo Competition, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (photo credit: Tim Dwight)

Sullivan was one of seven winners of the 2023 Astral Artists National Competition and is currently on the Astral Artists roster. Further awards and recognitions include the Grace B. Jackson Prize for exceptional service at the Tanglewood Music Center (2019); Third Place in the Washington International Competition (2023); Third Place in the Lyndon Woodside Oratorio Solo Competition (2019); Third Place in the Orpheus Vocal Competition (2019); First Place in the NATS National Musical Theatre Auditions (2018); and two artist scholarships from the Nebraska District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (2012, 2013). He was also a Finalist of the National Opera Association Vocal Competition (2023) and of the Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition (2023). During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sullivan conceived and self-produced the Pandemigram Project, raising over $7,500 for 43 different charitable organizations. He received his BM from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he graduated in 2014 as a Chancellor’s Scholar, and his MM in 2017 from the Bard College Conservatory of Music's Graduate Vocal Arts Program, led by Dawn Upshaw. He is currently based in New York City.

Clicking the above link will take you to a Dropbox folder containing Nathaniel’s press materials, including biographies, résumé, comprehensive repertoire list, and promotional photos.