Guest Artists and Masterclasses
Guest Artists
Allen Monk
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Baritone Allan Monk is enjoying an international career which now spans more than 40 years.
He began performing lead roles in musical comedy productions of Oklahoma, Carousel and Annie Get Your Gun while still in his teens. His engagements on the Opera, Symphony and Recital stages have since taken him across North America and to Russia, Poland, Germany, Israel, Portugal, Spain and Italy.
He is noted for his “vocal acting” and for in-depth interpretations of a wide variety of roles in both the standard and contemporary repertoire. In 1966, Allan was “discovered” by the San Francisco Opera, was a charter member of their touring company, Western Opera Theater, and soon was singing leading roles with the main company (Ashton, Sharpless, Dr. Malatesta, Wozzeck). In 1976 he joined the Metropolitan Opera where he quickly became an audience favorite, singing over 200 performances, many of which were telecast internationally. The New York Times was generous in it’s praise “as good as any Wolfram in the world today” (Tannhauser), “A lovely cultivated voice and a highly developed truth in his singing – the instinct and ability to sing like a human being” (Silvio, I Pagliacci), “Perfection” (Herald, Lohengrin). For over 20 years, Allan was a regular with the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto – (Rigoletto, Macbeth, Otello, Wozzeck, Les Contes D’Hoffman, Il Trovatore, La Forza del Destino, Death in Venice, L’Elisir D’Amore).
He acted as Visiting Professor of Voice at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. and has taught master classes at many U.S. and Canadian universities. In 1997 he was given the Distinguished Visitor Award by the University of Toronto, Music Faculty.In 1983 Allan was chosen Artist of the year by the Canadian Music Council. The professional opera companies of Canada cited him in 1996 “for International Recognition and Contribution to Opera in Canada” and on four occasions he has been honored with medals by the Canadian Government. In 1985 he was installed as an Officer of the Order of Canada.
In August of 2005 he gave the keynote address and presented a master class at the International Congress of Voice Teachers in Vancouver.
Allan presently resides in Calgary, Alberta where he has a private voice studio specializing in vocal expression and presentation skills. He produces and participates in concerts featuring young artists and is Music Coordinator of a large church.
- Allan Monk, Baritone, Will be giving a masterclass on Monday, October 29th, 3-5pm, UM Music Recital Hall Sponsored by the Voice Practicum (ASUM), and The Metropolitan National Council Auditions (Dr. David Cody, Director).