Paul Whelan

Lyric Bass Paul Whelan spent the last 18 months in his native New Zealand where he joined Christchurch City Choir for Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem and Handel’s Messiah, and appeared with Bach Musica New Zealand at Auckland Town Hall for Rachmaninoff’s The Bells.  With Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra he sang the role of Rocco Fidelio in concert and with Wellington Opera the role of Commendatore Don Giovanni. Lending his talent to local composer Tim Finn of Crowded House, he appeared as Captain James Cook Ihitai ‘Avei’a – Star Navigator for Opera New Zealand, and also sang the roles of Cadmus and Somnus Semele. For Christchurch Symphony Orchestra he sang performances of Mozart’s Requiem.

Recent past appearances include his appearance at Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in the role of Commendatore Don Giovanni in the Garsington Opera production on tour; Mícha The Bartered Bride also at Garsington; the role of Timur Turandot at Opera New Orleans; the world premiere of Stuart MacRae’s opera Anthropocene in the role of Captain Ross for Scottish Opera along with the role of Dikoj Katya Kabanova.  Recently, Paul Whelan made his house debut at Lyric Opera of Kansas City in the role of Gremin Eugene Onegin winning outstanding reviews. He performed The Creation with the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra and sang selections from the role of Hagen Götterdämmerung with the Jacksonville Symphony.