KENNETH OVERTON
BARITONE
BIOGRAPHY
Kenneth Overton is lauded for blending his opulent baritone with magnetic, varied portrayals that seemingly “emanate from deep within body and soul.” Kenneth Overton’s symphonious baritone voice has sent him around the globe, making him one of the most sought-after opera singers of his generation. In 2020, Kenneth became a GRAMMY AWARD WINNER for Best Choral Performance in the title role of Richard Danielpour’s The Passion of Yeshua with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by JoAnn Falletta.
Last season, Mr. Overton joined the San Francisco Opera as Suleiman in Omar, while covering Abdul/Abe, and as the King’s Herald cover in Lohengrin. He also joined Portland Baroque Orchestra for the pastiche Dinner with Handel and Opera Montana as Marcello in La bohème. In concert he joined the Hartford Chorale for part one of Messiah and Bach’s Magnificat, Lyric Fest for their Love Songs Concert, New Choral Society for Elijah, Opera Philadelphia for their Sounds of America: Price and Bonds concert, as well as the Resonance Ensemble as a featured soloist in a recital of Black composers’ works, curated by Damien Geter. He curated his own concert for On Site Opera in honor of Juneteenth, on which he also performed, and he joined the National Philharmonic as the baritone soloist for Beethoven’s Mass in C. This season, he joins the Austin Symphony as Porgy in Porgy and Bess and the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir as the baritone soloist in The Ordering of Moses.
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CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"... capacious-voiced baritone Kenneth Overton..." – Opera News
Daphne – “The only Shepherd that could hold his own with the racket Botstein unleashed in their scenes was experienced and capacious-voiced baritone Kenneth Overton."
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"...the ability to take your breath away and reduce you to tears..." – St. Louis Limelight
Lost In The Stars – “In an emotional powder-keg of a role, Kenneth Overton soars with his potent baritone and poignant renditions of every number. He pulls everyone’s heartstrings tight and has the ability to take your breath away and reduce you to tears. His showstopping ‘Lost in the Stars’ delivery to close Act I is haunting and will remain one of my favorite and best moments of Union Avenue Opera’s 24th season.”
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"...prepare for chills..." – Pensacola News Journal
Showboat – “In my mind, any discussion of Showboat starts with its most famous song – the magnificent ‘Ol Man River.’ It is the absolute jewel in the crown within Kern’s score, and when placed in the hands of a singer who can master its challenges, it is an automatic highlight. In baritone Kenneth Overton, Pensacola Opera has a singer who more than masters ‘Ol Man River.’ Overton who plays Joe, absolutely soars, and prepare for chills when the male chorus adds their voices to the mix.”
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"...sang with great assurance and strength..." – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Porgy and Bess – “Kenneth Overton was fabulous in the title role. He sang with great assurance and strength, and his acting was breathtaking.”
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"...soulfull lightness of his voice..." – Duluth News Tribune
Vaughan Williams' Sea Symphony – “Baritone Kenneth Overton simply melted away all fear of the sea ‘on the beach at night alone.’ Throughout the work he was able to use the fullness of his voice, as well as the soulful lightness of his high notes in nostalgic moments.”
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"...a ringing, resonant baritone..." – Modesto Bee
Porgy and Bess – “For me, however, the truly exceptional performance of this production came from Kenneth Overton as Porgy. His sheer vocal power — a ringing, resonant baritone that seemed to emanate from deep within body and soul — could have carried the whole show on its own. But beyond this, he seemed to possess an intuitive sense of the character that not only projected itself compellingly to the audience, but enriched and enhanced the other roles as well.”
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Agent | Classical & Concert
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