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discipline = "Tenor"
primary_image = "https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1628191251/media/2021/08/NicholasSimpson_JJIgnotz_cslhqw.jpg"
primary_image_credit = "JJ.Ignotz."
related_companies = ["scene/companies/teatro-nuovo.md", "scene/companies/little-opera-theatre-of-ny.md"]
slug = "nicholas-simpson"
title = "Nicholas Simpson"
website = "https://nicholassimpsontenor.com/"
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Tenor Nicholas Simpson "possesses a voice that is flexible, but powerful...he literally stunned the public with his technical and expressive capability" (Corriere di Rimini) and has been praised by _Opera News_, for his "bel canto bona fides” and performances which "immediately seized attention with his full-bodied, brightly projected voice." Nicholas has just concluded performances as Don Jose in _Carmen_, and as a soloist in opera and musical theater cabarets while traveling through Italy, France, Spain, Jordan, Egypt, India, Australia, and New Zealand on the Azamara Quest in conjunction with Magic City Opera.

Nicholas has recently been heard as King Charles II in the New York premiere of Carlisle Floyd’s newest opera, _The Prince of Players_, with the Little Opera Theatre of New York, and as the tenor soloist in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with Performance Santa Fe, under the baton of Joseph Illick. 

During the 2017-2018 season, Mr Simpson has appeared as Bacchus in _Ariadne auf Naxos_ in Berlin, as Mario Cavaradossi in _Tosca_ with the Maryland Symphony, in a series of Christmas Concerts with the Orchestra of Saint Peter by the Sea, in a concert tour of the south with mezzo soprano Cindy Sadler, and as Pinkerton in _Madama Butterfly_ with The Festival of the Atlantic.

In May of 2017, Mr Simpson sang the role of Giovanni in Daniel Catán’s opera _La hija de Rappaccini_ with Alamo City Opera, which made history as the first professional Spanish language opera performed in San Antonio.

In 2016, Mr.Simpson brought his vocal power to bear in a variety of leading roles, including Dick Johnson in _La fanciulla del West_ at Apotheosis Opera, Don José in the Maryland Symphony’s and in Spotlight on Opera’s productions of _Carmen_; and the tenor soloist in _Carmina Burana_ with the Flint Symphony; as well as appearing in numerous concert series across the United States.

Recent seasons found Mr. Simpson making role and house debuts as the Kronprinz in Kevin Puts’ Pulitzer Prize winning opera _Silent Night_ with Fort Worth Opera and singing a critically acclaimed performance as Paul in Korngold’s _Die Tote Stadt_ with Cleveland Opera. Cleveland Classical noted that he was "… splendid as Paul, negotiating a punishingly high and demanding vocal line with strength and agility." In 2015, Mr Simpson became the first tenor to sing the title role in the Dresden version of Wagner's _Tannhäuser_ in New York City since 1966. The performances of _Tannhäuser_ with Apotheosis Opera were a success, and it was noted that "Tenor Nicholas Simpson was a full-throated hero who carried the role from beginning to end without strain." (Voce di Meche). Mr Simpson has also appeared as Peter Quint in Britten's _The Turn of the Screw_ and Rodolfo in _La bohème_ with Hub Opera. DC Theater Arts praised his "smooth, deeply rich tenor voice and a powerful presence as the poet Rodolfo" and noted his dramatic abilities as "exceptional".

Nicholas has appeared as Turiddu in _Cavalleria rusticana_ with the Altoona Symphony, in the title role of _Don Carlo_ with the Martha Cardona Theater, and in the title role of _Il sogno di Scipione_ with Gotham Chamber Opera. He covered the role of Vaudemont and performed student matinees for Dicapo Opera’s production of Tchaikovsky’s _Iolanta_, sang Count Alberto in _Opportunity Makes the Thief_ with Little Opera Theatre of New York; as well as Turiddu in _Cavalleria rusticana_ and Rinuccio in _Gianni Schicchi_ with Spotlight on Opera. He has performed with Sarasota Opera, Union Avenue Opera, Utah Festival Opera, and the Mediterranean Opera Studio & Festival in Sicily, and appeared in Austin Opera's Opera on a Stick outreach concerts. 

Mr. Simpson grew up singing musical theatre, and has appeared professionally as Roger Sherman in _1776_, Phil in _Gypsy_, the tenor of the foursome in _Girl Crazy_, and Nicely Nicely (understudy) in _Guys and Dolls_ for Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre.

On the concert stage, Mr. Simpson has been noted for his interpretation of Beethoven's 9th Symphony. He has performed the work with Chorus Austin, the Altoona Symphony, the Hershey Symphony, and Performance Santa Fe. Other recent concert appearances include the title role in Joshua with the San Gabriel Chorale and Orchestra, Beethoven's _Missa Solemnis_ with the Brooklyn Symphony, Rachmaninov's _Vespers_ with Chorus Austin., and highlights of _Tannhäuser_ at the Baldwin-Wallace Wagner intensive program, under the direction of Timothy Mussard and Jane Eaglen.

In 2011, his "lusty" performance of Rossini's _Petite Messe Solenelle_ with Chorus Austin earned him an Austin Critics nomination as best classical vocalist of the year in Austin for a performance that "made you feel the blood's pulse and heat" (Austin Chronicle) and received the Desert Theatre League Award as Best Performer for his run of eight performances of the program "Nicholas Simpson in Love" at the Arthur Newman Theatre.

Other concert appearances include the Four Tenors Concert with Opera Delaware, and selections from _Tannhäuser_ for Performance Santa Fe and the Wagner Society of Santa Fe; Don José in _Carmen_ for Spotlight Concerts, and guest soloist with the Grace and Spiritus Chorale. Mr. Simpson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Missouri, and a Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music.