Biography
“Far and away the most commanding performance was that of bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen as Leporello. He has a naturally beautiful, superbly trained voice, rich and clear at the low end, smooth and flexible in the middle range and effortless at the top. Good as his sound was, his acting was better. Ketelsen fully realized the role. He was rewarded at the curtain-call by an uninhibited outburst of cheering and a standing ovation.” (Opera News)
American bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen is in regular demand by the world’s leading opera houses and orchestras for his vibrant and handsome stage presence and distinctive vocalism.
In the 2022/23 season, Mr. Ketelsen returns back to The Metropolitan Opera for the world premiere of Richard in The Hours opposite Renée Fleming, Kelli O’Hara, and Joyce DiDonato, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, which would be televised live in HD. He returns to Wiener Staatsoper in the title role in Don Giovanni. His concert engagements include his first performances of Mendelssohn’s, Elijah with the Utah Symphony under the baton of Thierry Fischer. Mr. Ketelsen will return to the Los Angeles Opera as Golaud in Pelléas et Mélisande conducted by James Conlin and directed by Sir David McVicar.
Read moreReviews
“The bass-baritone soloist was Kyle Ketelsen, whose crackling declamations and caramel-rich voice was the heart of the third movement (“Lord, make me to know that there must be an end of me”), which finishes with a bustling fugue”
“Bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen gave a fine account of “Herr, lehre doch mich,” making it sound both orotund and lyrical.”
More Reviews
“Ketelsen’s Dulcamara, on the other hand, noticed everything. Tailoring his quack remedies to the crowd — Wrinkle cream for middle-aged ladies? Old codgers craving cough syrup? — he hawked his wares in a booming, fast-paced bass-baritone. Agile and light-footed, he was as cheerful and wily as a vaudeville barker.”
Wynne Delacoma, Chicago Sun Times Sep 27 2021
“Bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen gave the standout performance as Kasper/Samiel, alternating between the two with superb deftness, making the Wolf’s Glen scene even spookier than usual. Ketelsen is an agile stage presence, responding to the rigorous physical demands of the director, singing while dancing, drinking, and on the floor. His flexible and multilayered singing was a delight in his chilly aria ‘Schweig! damit dich Niemand warnt.'”
Ako Imamura, Bachtrack Feb 13 2021
“Kyle Ketelsen was a scene- and show-stealing Leporello: a gleaming, dynamic baritone, a dexterous command of the language and some punctilious comedic timing.”
Matthew Guerrieri, The Washington Post Mar 1 2020
“The bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen commanded the stage as Golaud, his voice robust and strong, yet grave.”
Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times Jan 16 2019
“Finishing up the main cast was bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen as Escamillo. The torchlight procession seen through the broken rafters of the tavern, and the cheering entourage that approached, made for a fitting setup to his ardent toreador song “Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre.”
Here, Ketelson wove a powerful tapestry with the extended lyrics, adorning it with the bravura of his high F’s. His confrontation with Lee in the third act was well-executed and it was highly satisfying to watch their passions clash against one another. His interactions with Margaine’s Carmen suggested a love that desired to conquer the heart of the infamous gypsy, though their exchanges in the fourth act held a more loving atmosphere.”
Logan Martell, Opera Wire Nov 1 2018
