Theodore
Carlson
Experience the artistry of Theodore Carlson, an acclaimed opera singer, director, and voice teacher.
Theodore's 24-year-long European career took him to 10 countries where he captivated audiences as the leading baritone in over 70 operas.
An alumnus of the prestigious Juilliard Opera Center, Carlson has also directed operas in Barcelona, Spain, and at the University of Arkansas.
As Artistic Director of Dallas's Voces Intimae-art song series, he oversaw concerts, educational programs, and master classes.
His passion for teaching led him to teach voice at the Rockland Conservatory in New York, as well as opera at The University of Arkansas and the El Music Conservatory in Spain.
Performance Experience
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Baritone Theodor Carlson has graced stages in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, and Switzerland. Theodor is known for compelling interpretations of Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Richard Strauss, and Wagner's leading roles. His Zurich Opera debut launched a distinguished career, notably as The Flying Dutchman in Dame Gwyneth Jones’ acclaimed production and as Verrina in the world premiere of Édouard Lalo’s Fiesque.
Carlson’s repertoire of over 60 operas includes title roles in Wagner’s Flying Dutchman, Verdi’s Rigoletto, Falstaff, and Macbeth, and Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Carlson has excelled in renowned theaters, including Teatro del Liceu, Dallas Opera, Michigan Opera Theater, Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz in Munich, and German National Theaters in Weimar and Mannheim. Esteemed orchestras like the Frankfurt Philharmonic and the Munich Symphony Orchestra have showcased his artistry.
Trained in the U.S. (Juilliard), Germany, and Italy, Carlson refined his approach to operatic and Lied interpretation under Giuseppe DiStefano and Brigitte Fassbaender. As a recitalist, he has graced prestigious venues such as the Zurich Opera House and Alice Tully Hall, captivating audiences with song interpretations. He toured Germany with performances of Schubert’s song cycle, Die Winterreise.
Carlson's dedication to mentoring emerging talent is evident in his teaching roles at the University of Arkansas, Rockland Conservatory in New York. In Dallas, he was the Artistic Director of the art song concert series Voces Intimae, assisted the Dallas Opera's Institute for Women Conductors, and was an Associate at Collins Classical Agency in Dallas. At the El Musical Conservatory in Bellaterra and Colegio Aleman in Barcelona, he taught voice, a Schubert seminar, and directed Die Zauberflöte.
Carlson mentors singers and coaches across communities in the United States, Germany, and Spain. His exploration of the convergence of music, theater, and poetry continues to captivate audiences and inspire aspiring artists worldwide.
World Premiere Performances
Role | Opera | Composer | Opera House |
|---|---|---|---|
Blind Son | The Mother of Three Sons | Leroy Jenkins | Munich Biennale Festspiele |
Oronte | Spiel v. Liebe u. Zufall | Helge Jörns | Schwetzinger Festspiele |
Isegrim | Reyneke Fuchs | Thilo von Westernhagen | Stadttheater Lübeck |
Don Quichotte | Don Quichotte | Hans Zender | Theater der Stadt Heidelberg |
Gmork | Die unendliche Geschichte | Siegfried Mattus | German National Theater Weimar |
Verrina | Fiesque | Édouard Lalo | German National Theater Mannheim |
Training with Theodore
“Anyone can cook, but only the
fearless can be great.”
Chef Ratatouille
BASED ON PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Performing and teaching in New York, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, and Barcelona since 1984
PROVEN
TECHNIQUES
& EXERCISES
Consistent training on technique & practicing proven exercises step-by-step to bring out your best sound
ACCELERATE YOUR
LEARNING
Guided listening and learning develops a path for more profound expression and beautiful sound
My work with you is based on my professional experience in opera, musical theater, and concert singing. You'll get the best results by practicing proven exercises step-by-step. I have been performing and teaching in New York, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, and Barcelona since 1984. On my journey, I worked with great artists who have shared their wisdom in the centuries-old art of "Bel Canto." My generation must pass along the tradition of great singing. Singing onstage is much more complex than most people think, but consistent TRAINING on technique will bring out your best sound.
Those who practice will succeed.
My students now sing at opera houses and concert halls. They work and study at major conservatories and universities across the USA and Europe.
Bel canto is a 'Culture' to be cultivated.
I will use technology to accelerate your learning. Immersing you in a carefully selected video library will sensitize your ear to what is right or wrong about a particular timbre or phrase. Discrimination or 'taste' becomes a strong motivator in practice. When you understand "right" from "wrong," you thirst for the beautiful sound like a master sommelier might thirst for great wine.
GUIDED LISTENING from recordings puts you at the feet of the old masters to reinforce your critical thinking. GUIDED PRACTICE is your voice lesson. You will develop a powerful sense of 'mind over matter' on the path to more profound expression and beautiful sound.
The well-trained bel canto singer's distinctive sound displays the singer's natural voice through cultivated expression. Through ANATOMICAL and KINESTHETIC LEARNING, positions such as a low larynx or high palate begin to feel instinctive. Singers experience deep satisfaction when they master their physical talents and apply them to their innate INTERPRETIVE SKILLS.
The analysis of text and pronunciation in Neo Latin and Germanic LANGUAGES is a significant focus for classical singers and Broadway styles. As singing actors, we must find the emotional and objective truth in our words.