With a repertoire of over 100 roles, ROD NELMAN has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, New World Symphony, Washington National Opera, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Arena di Verona, New York City Opera, among others. Rod is happy to return to Opera Theater of Connecticut for the fourth time, having previously performed Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia in 1994, and Commendatore in Don Giovanni two seasons ago, and Frank in Die Fledermaus last season.
A “superb singer-actor” (Washington Times), and “a natural comedian” (Washington Post) he is sought after for both dramatic and comic roles. “Rod Nelman brought a booming bass voice and comically oafish presence.” (New York Times) The solid-toned bass Rod Nelman proved very amusing without any caricature.” (Opera News) “Rod Nelman’s gigantic bass and expressive acting filled the bill.” (Bachtrack) “Rod Nelman showed a fresh, bright bass tone. He sang the patter passages at a blistering pace…An experienced and easy actor… funny, yet real” (Scherzo Madrid)
Opera News has called his performances “emotionally grand”, possessing a “rock-steady presence”, with an “arresting charisma and big, pliant voice”, “vocally and dramatically riveting”, with a “colorful, theater-filling bass tone”, “dark, cavernous and sumptuously beautiful”, “strong and powerful”, “pure enjoyment, with pointed diction and silky tone.”
His repertoire also includes many contemporary roles such as Kissinger in Nixon in China (Adams), Einstein in Einstein on Mercer Street (Puts), Leopold Mozart in Letters, Riddles, and Writs (Nyman), Kublai Khan in Marco Polo (Dun), Ben in Regina (Blitzstein), Wesener in Soldaten (Gurlitt), George in Of Mice and Men, Blitch in Susannah (Floyd), and Arthur/ Officer #3 and the “Voice of the Cards” in The Lighthouse (Davies)
Recent performances include bass soloist in the Mozart Requiem with the UConn Orchestra and Choirs with performances in Storrs and NYC, and as vocalist for the debut of Earl MacDonald’s Black Square Ensemble—a bold new project where jazz, classical, and global traditions converge with urgent social themes, in The River Room, an intimate performing arts venue with a speakeasy vibe in Willimantic, CT. This preview concert took place just one day before the ensemble entered the studio to record their yet to be released debut album, featuring powerful, genre-defying compositions that speak to our time with clarity, depth, and purpose.