BILL McMURRAY, baritone
Baritone Bill McMurray has been described as, “a baritone with warm, rich tones and superb stage presence” by the Durham Herald Sun. As a member of the young artist program at Florida Grand Opera from 2000 to 2002 he was seen in a variety of roles in productions of IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, BORIS GOUDINOV, MANON, REGINA and MADAMA BUTTERFLY. Bill has appeared as a concert soloist all over the country and has achieved success in oratorio works such as MESSIAH, ELIJAHand the Mozart REQUIEM.

In 2005, Mr. McMurray sang the lead role of Prospero in Lee Hoiby’s THE TEMPEST with Longleaf Opera in NC, while the composer himself was in attendance and received outstanding reviews for his performance. Later that season he returned to NC to make his debut with The Opera Company of NC in Raleigh as Angelotti in TOSCA. He has also appeared in solo roles with Gold Coast Opera, Opera North, Knoxville Opera, Mobile Opera, the Chicago Cultural Center, Central City Opera, Chicago Opera Theater and Elgin Opera.

Mr. McMurray has appeared several times with the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s “Opera in the Neighborhoods”. Other engagements include the title role in Rossini’s SIGNOR BRUSCHINO with the Chicago Cultural Center, and a debut in Houston as Count Almaviva in LE NOZZE DI FIGAROwith Opera in the Heights. Additional performances include the roles of Dr Dulcamara with Elgin Opera, Muddy River Opera and Union Avenue Opera in their productions of L’ELISIR D’AMORE, and Alfio in CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA along with the Mahler “Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen” with Skokie Valley Symphony.

In the summer of 2008 he performed the role of Splendiano in the Midwestern premiere of Bizet’s one act opera DJAMILEH with the Chicago Cultural Center. In the summer of 2009 Mr. McMurray participated in the Classical Singer Convention in Chicago, IL and was one of eight singers named to the Winner’s Concert. Additional highlights include the gala concert with Elgin Opera, a return to the Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera Chicago and a debut with the Southshore Opera Company in Chicago. A native of Fayetteville, NCMr. McMurray holds his Masters degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.