Lyric Bass Fred Furnari began his vocal career as an adult under the tutelage of mentor and vocal teacher Daniel Sullivan. He went on to pursue an Artist Diploma at the Hartt School on a full scholarship. Further apprenticeships included full scholarships at the Des Moines Metro Opera’s acclaimed Young Artist Program, and the Opera Theatre Festival of Lucca, Italy.
Fred’s voice has been called mellifluous and commanding and his singing musically sensitive. His colorful vocal palette and strong presence have allowed him to perform stentorian, heroic, and comedic roles in the bass repertoire. Notable performances include Sparafucile in Verdi’s Rigoletto with St. Petersburg Opera, Basilio in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia at Opera Fort Collins, Commendatore in Mozart’s Don Giovanni at Crested Butte Music Festival, and Timur in Puccini’s Turandot at Opera Company of Middlebury.
An accomplished concert soloist, Fred performed the role of Doctor Bartolo in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro in Boston Lyric Opera’s popular Hatch Shell Series, Pater Profundis in Mahler’s 8th Symphony and appeared as Bass soloist in Handel’s Messiah, and Verdi’s Requiem .
Fred lives in Roslindale, MA, and works with Sharon Daniels, Steven Steiner, James Myers, Joe Turbessi, and Laurent Philippe.