Erik Earl Larson
Erik E. Larson is a young, American baritone originally from the small farming town of Evansville, WI. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under the tutelage of soprano Julia Faulkner. Roles in his undergraduate included Masetto (Don Giovanni), Creonte (Medea), and Il Re (Ariodante) – a role in which Madison Magazine praised him for his “rich vocal contributions.”
While in his undergraduate, Erik also made his professional debut with Madison Opera as the Motorcycle Cop in Jake Heggie’s moving work, Dead Man Walking. Erik has also sung the roles of Ted Steinert (Frau Margot), Lindorf (Les contes d’Hoffmann), and Marco (Gianni Schicchi) – all with the University of Houston Moores Opera Center. Equally at home on the musical theater stage, Erik performed the role of Billy Bigelow in Rodgers and Hammerstein II’s beloved Carousel during Middleton Players Theatre’s 2015 season. In the role, Erik was praised for “confidently filling the auditorium with [his] powerful voice, bringing the energy and never
letting go.” In the summer of 2014, at the age of 21, Erik was a vocal fellow at the prestigious Music Academy of the West, under the direction of mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne. There, Erik sang opera scenes as Swallow (Peter Grimes) and Leporello (Don Giovanni). Erik also participated in public masterclasses with Warren Jones, and competed in Ms. Horne’s namesake song competition. During the winter season of 2016, Erik was an apprentice artist with Sarasota Opera as they completed their prestigious Verdi cycle – ending a quest to perform every note Verdi has ever written. There, Erik sang chorus and scenes as Dandini (La Cenerentola) and Belfiore (Un giorno di regno). In competition, Erik has received awards from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the Gerda Lissner Foundation, and the Giulio Gari Foundation. Erik is currently a first year resident artist with the Opera Institute at Boston University. Roles this season include the bass soloist in Philip Glass’ Hydrogen Jukebox, Mr. McGuire in Tobias Picker’s Emmeline and the title role in Mozart’s beloved Le nozze di Figaro.
