WESTMINSTER
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
315 E. Scott Street, Gainesville, Texas
MCFARLAND CONCERT PHOTOS
BIO: With a ready repertoire of over 114 major roles, dramatic baritone, Robert McFarland, continues to delight the opera world from Milan, Palermo, Rome, Barcelona, Seville, Lisbon, Nice, London, Dublin, Porto, Santiago, Toronto, Montreal, to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York (Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera), Houston, and Miami. This singing actor has recorded with renowned artists Placido Domingo as Iago in Otello, Jose Carreras as Escamillo in Carmen, and Roberto Alagna as Lord Nottingham in Roberto Devereaux.
Bio: Winning the National Metropolitan Opera Auditions in 1979 led to Robert McFarland’s eight-year, twenty-seven-role career at New York City Opera under the leadership of Beverly Sills. Since that time, Robert McFarland’s vocal artistry has been showcased in nearly every major opera house in the world.
McFarland is frequently engaged for oratorio performances of Elijah, Joshua, Messiah, Verdi’s Requiem, Brahms Requiem and modern works such as Penderecki’s Passion of Christ According to St. Luke. He is also a renowned Christian recording artist having received high praise for his two sacred albums entitled Stormy Winds and Nothing Between.
A graduate of McMurry University (Abilene, Texas) and recipient of the Performance Certificate from Indiana University School of Music (Bloomington, Indiana), Mr. McFarland has taught voice for over 25 years including master classes in Europe, Canada, South America, and in the United States. He has also served as an adjudicator for National Association of Teachers of Singing, Metropolitan Opera Auditions, and many other national vocal competitions. In 1997, he joined the voice faculty of Temple University and was awarded the title of Artist In Residence in 1999. Robert currently teaches at "McFarland Artist's Voice Studio" in Philadelphia.
Along with performing over 114 operas, Robert McFarland has conducted and directed many operas internationally. He is the founder and General Director of Opera Seabrook located in Salem, New Jersey, where he, along with a marvelous international staff, provides the ultimate opportunity for young artists of the United States. He is developing new opera programs and a master degree program with the Colombian Government and McFarland Artists Management International performance division. Newly–appointed Artist in Residence of the Walt Whitman Arts Center, Mcfarland oversees the activities of Opera Seabrook.
REVIEWS: “The U.K. “Artist of the Year” has been chosen – Robert McFarland – who...brought to the stage the most unique, dramatically demanding, but magnificently sung Scarpia in Opera North’s Production of Tosca ever observed.”
The London Times – 2002
“Plàcido Domingo was brilliantly partnered by Robert McFarland as Iago, a true baritone with a dark, flexible, finely-wrought, well-modulated voice. This dramatic baritone more than held his own – never in the shadow of Otello. No need for this Iago to leer and snarl: using his mobile features and supple body, he looked like a sleek panther tormenting a wounded lion. He also made good chemistry with Domingo: sparks were flying about during their encounters: but the night belonged to Robert McFarland.”
International Opera Magazine – Lisbon, Portugal –1989
“Robert McFarland’s rendition of the Jester Rigoletto far surpassed any expectations with his dramatic and vocally effortless performance Friday evening. As we heard Mr. McFarland give the Cleveland audiences a thrill with his Dutchman, no one could have imagined him lending that dramatic voice to Verdi’s score with such fullness, yet ease of singing. His performance never let up until the last bars of the piece, not missing an opportunity to give the listener the ultimate performance.”
Cleveland – 2002
“The evening really began to experience drama when the audience heard the voice of Jochanann - Robert McFarland. Mr. McFarland was obviously enjoying vocal freedom as he displayed this heavy, difficult role without any evidence of labor or strain. Clearly, the Austin Lyric audience enjoyed an international level of performing on this opening night.”
Austin Opera – Salome – 1999
“Dramatic baritone Robert McFarland...provided a superb Escamillo with José Carreras as Don José. ... Attendance was overflowing at 29,000.”
The London Times - Carmen
“Baritone Robert McFarland...brought the house down with several minutes of bravo…in the best tradition of superb american baritones.”
The Frankfurter Algemeine Zeitung – 1990
“Robert McFarland made his debut in the title role of The Dutchman... He brings the Cleveland audience a huge spectrum of vocal power, style, finesse and control. His monologue was spectacular to watch as well! To close the eyes – one could have thought George London had stepped onto the stage once again. The Cleveland audience will not soon forget this musical evening.”
Cleveland – 1997
