Marc Heller

Biography

"Marc Heller has appeared at major opera houses across the United States and Europe, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Dutch National Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu - Barcelona, the Royal Swedish Opera - Stockholm, New York City Opera, the Komische Oper Berlin, and many others in such roles as Calaf (Turandot), Radames (Aida), Otello, Manrico (Il Trovatore), and others.

He originated the pivotal role of Gao Jian-li in the Shanghai workshop of Tan Dun’s opera The First Emperor. In 2007, he went on to make his Metropolitan Opera debut in the role opposite Placido Domingo. He also appeared as the Prince in the North American première of Tan Dun’s Tea: A Mirror of Soul, with the composer conducting (Santa Fe Opera).

In 2007 also, Mr. Heller returned to the Metropolitan Opera, appearing as Tybalt in Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette opposite Anna Netrebko and Roberto Alagna. It was simulcast worldwide in HD, and is repeated regularly on television internationally. He travelled to China to sing the role of Lukas in Haydn’s Die Jahreszeiten in pre-Olympic ceremonies.

Mr. Heller has performed the role of Radames worldwide with frequency, highlighted productions of which include R.A.I. simulcast performances at the Pyramids of Giza (2010), as well as in a new production by Stephen Medcalf at London's Royal Albert Hall (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Mo. Andrew Greenwood; 2012).

In the 2013/14 season he sang Calaf in Turandot (Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus, Minsk), Ernani (Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre), Gustavo III in Un ballo in maschera ( Palácio das Artes, Belo Horizonte, Brazil), Don Alvaro in La forza del destino (Hessiches Staatstheater, Wiesbaden).

In 2014, he debuted in Verdi`s Otello at the Theater Erfurt. In 2015, Mr. Heller had a resounding international success portraying the eponymous heldentenor Sigurd in the German premiere of Ernst Reyer’s opera. He also debuted as Andrea Chenier at the Theater Erfurt and made his successful debut as Max in Weber`s Der Freischuetz at the DomStufen-Festspiele.

Highlights of the 2015/16 season included Jean de Leyde in the Badisches Staatstheater’s new production by Tobias Kratzer of Meyerbeer’s Le Prophète; the role of Otello at the Gran Teatre del Liceu (Barcelona; one of Heller's performances at the Liceu is broadcast regularly worldwide (Desdemona: Ermonela Jaho, Iago: Marco Vratogna; Mo. Philippe Auguin). Then he repeated this part in Budapest; Calaf in Turandot twice, at NI Opera Belfast in a production by Calixto Bieito, and with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, a performance of which has been simulcast nationally (Mo. Carl St. Clair; P: Eric Einhorn). He performed the role of Radames in Aida at the Utah Opera; Canio in I Pagliacci and Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana at the Opéra-Théâtre de Metz, France, in a new production of both operas.

As a recording artist, Mr. Heller appeared as Chairman Mao in Adams’ Nixon in China (2009, Naxos), production of which album was nominated for a Grammy award; as Baroncelli in Wagner`s Rienzi (Theatre du Capitole de Toulouse, 2012, Opus Arte). Mr. Heller`s recordings include Modinhas e Cançoes (songs of Heitor Villa-Lobos), Take Me To The World (songs of Stephen Sondheim) as well as Great Poets in Song (compositions by Dr Alfred Heller) and Rome by Night (compositions by the late Steve Allen).