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American tenor Ray Hornblower has recently returned to the United States after six years in Europe where he established himself as a singer of rare musical talent, "A splendid voice…most memorable and astonishing." (London Daily Express)

After five years of stage experience with the Washington, Baltimore, and New York City operas, Mr. Hornblower moved to Paris, France and sang principal roles in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, England (Buxton Festival – 1990), Spain (eight cities), and throughout France (eighty cities and towns notably the Chaise Dieu Festival in 1989 and at Grenoble, Biarritz, Versailles, and Aix-en-Provence in 1990 and 1991).

Winning critical acclaim for his Mozart performances with his "...ravishing tone, musicality, vocal precision, and impeccable technique,...â€� (Arioso International – Paris) Ray Hornblower has also interpreted the following major roles: Almaviva (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Bastien, Fernando, Don Ottavio, Ernesto (Don Pasquale – Donizetti), Edgardo (Lucia di Lammermoor – Donizetti),  Elisero (Moisé – Rossini), Ruggero (La Rondine – Puccini), Argirio (Tancredi – Rossini), Tamino, and Ottocar (Zigeunerbaron – Johann Strauss). In recent years, Mr. Hornblower has learned the roles of Pinkerton, the Duke of Mantua, Alfredo, and Rodolfo.

Mr. Hornblower is also a noted performer of oratorio literature which he has interpreted in some of France’s greatest cathedrals. He has performed sacred works of numerous composers and with many orchestras in Europe including Orchestre Symphonia Sacree, Orchestre Municipal de Tours, Ensemble Harmonia Nova, Orchestre de Chambre Jean-Louis Petit, and Ensemble Instrumental Alexandre Stajic.

Starting at age seven, Ray Hornblower sang in a chorale and studied the piano. His vocal studies continued at the Peabody Conservatory and at a private studio whose founders trained American tenors Mario Lanza and Jan Peerce, a favorite of Toscanini. In France, he perfected his vocal style with Mady Mesplé and Alain Vanzo. Mr. Hornblower holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Harvard University.

Operatic Repertoire (Performed)

Madama Butterfly	Pinkerton	Los Angeles (1999)
Il Barbiere di Siviglia	Count Almaviva	Paris (1994)
Rigoletto	Duke of Mantua	New York (2003)
Bastien et Bastienne	Bastien	Paris (1989)
La Traviata	Alfredo	Long Beach, CA (1998)
Così fan tutte	Fernando	New York (1986)
La Bohème	Rodolfo	Long Beach, CA (1999)
Don Giovanni	Don Ottavio	European Tour (1990) Bulgarian National Opera Opera Santa Barbara (1998)
Don Pasquale	Ernesto	Long Island, NY (1987) Long Island Opera Washington, DC (1982)
Face on the Barroom Floor	Larry/Matt	Washington, DC (1982)
Lucia di Lammermoor	Edgardo	New York (1984)
Moisé	Elisero	Paris (1993)
La Rondine	Ruggero	Baltimore (1980) Peabody Conservatory Opera
Tancredi	Argirio	Buxton, England (1990) Buxton Music Festival
Die Zauberfloete	Tamino	European Tour (1991) Bulgarian National Opera
Fidelio	Jacquino	San Luis Obispo, CA (1999) Pacific Repertory Opera
Turdandot	Pong	Orange County, CA  (1998) Opera Pacific

   



Operetta/Musical (Performed)

Brigadoon	Charlie	Prince George’s County, MD
Gondoliers	Marco	Montgomery County, MD
Gypsy Baron	Ottocar	Prince George’s County, MD
Patience	Grosvenor	Montgomery County, MD

Orchestral Repertoire (Performed)

Bach	Christmas Oratorio Magnificat St. John’s Passion, Evangelist St. Matthew’s Passion	Paris (1988-1994)
Beethoven	Symphony No. 9 Mass in C Major	New York (1991-1994)
Charpentier	Grande Messe Royale, Te Deum
Cimarosa	Requiem	Paris (1992)
Demars	An American Requiem	Paris (1993)
Fauré	Opus 55	Paris (1991)
Handel	Messiah Judas Maccabaeus	Washington, DC (1980) Paris (1991)
Haydn	Stabat Mater Te Deum	Paris (1990-1992)
Monteverdi	Dixit Secondo
Mozart	Requiem Coronation Mass, KV 317 Regina Coeli, KV 276 Grand Mass in C Minor, KV 427	Paris (1989-1994)
Rossini	Stabat Mater Petite Messe Solennelle	Paris (1991)
Schubert	Mass in G Minor	Paris (1989)
Verdi	Requiem	Paris (1993) Boston (2001)

    













Voice Teacher
Instructed 40+ students in New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and Paris.

Education
Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore, MD
Studied privately with:William Beall (principal teacher), Elsa Baklor, Mady Mesplé, Alain Vanzo, and William Vendice.
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA – JD
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA – BA (Romance Language Prize)



"An excellent tenor, overflowing with ardor and youthfulness."
Dauphiné Libéré

"Lyric tenor Ray Hornblower…now makes his home in Paris and has devoted himself to a variety of oratorio literature which he has performed in the greatest cathedrals in France.Ray Hornblower’s showpiece…a delightful set of five songs by Franz Schubert sent the audience into ecstatic applause. His voice is pure joy to hear, and he delivered Schubert’s love songs with an understated emotion, a seemingly effortless clarity, and a mastery of line that left his listeners wishing for more. They got more when Mr. Hornblower and Lia Kahler took to the stage in the evening’s last piece to sing together a romantic duet by Rossini. The audience demanded and received an encore."
Chamber Music Series Opens with Song by Nis Kildegaard

"Ray Hornblower (Don Ottavio), a true Mozartian tenor whose delicate phrasing and irridescent timbre remind us of Anton Dermota.�
Les Novelles de Versailles

"A splendid voice...Ray Hornblower…was most memorable and astonishing."
London Daily Express

“It must have posed Buxton Opera quite a few casting problems, but they were fortunate to find Ray Hornblower, one of an almost extinct breed of tenor who can deal with the fast and florid passages that were still in fashion at the beginning of the 19th century.�
Arts and Entertainment Magazine

“Ray Hornblower as King Argirio is one of the few tenors around who could contemplate such a combination of agility and high tessitura.�
The Independent

“The American tenor Ray Hornblower, in his British debut, gave a distinguished display of bel canto as Argirio.�
The Sunday Telegraph

“Ray Hornblower was Tamino yesterday night: a valiant voice with clarity of phrasing, limpidity of style, and solidity in all registers.�
Paris Normandie

“Ray Hornblower demonstrated an imposing voice and stature as Don Ottavio. He is an excellent tenor, overflowing with ardour and youthfulness. We won’t forget the aria ll mio tesoro, as well as his contribution in the incomparable Trio of the Masks that unites Don Ottavio, Anna, and Elvira which was a special moment indeed.�
Dauphiné Libéré

“...and the faultless interpretation of Don Ottavio (Ray Hornblower), a tenor of utmost quality.�
L’Indépendant

“A remarkable performance is given by Don Ottavio (Ray Hornblower).….�
Le Courrier Progrès

“...and there is not enough space here to describe the splendor, the virtuosity of all soloists....We have to mention especially Ray Hornblower, a moving and very convincing Mozartian tenor.�
La Nouvelle République du Centre Ouest

“He has already entered the ranks of professionals and has performed in the most respected American opera houses. Ray is going to travel throughout Europe with the Bulgarian National Radio Orchestra.�
Le Nouvel Observateur

“I recently saw him in France playing Tamino in the Magic Flute. I found him superb.�
France Magazine

“The American tenor Ray Hornblower... warmed the room with his beautiful tenor voice. His singing is very physical, yet aesthetic, showing the…eloquent attitudes and estimable traditions of the opera that invite the simple pleasures
of listening.�
Sud Ouest


Comments from audience members at recent concert in Chatham, MA (Feb. 12, 2005)

Many thanks for your wonderful performance--the enriching bits between made it perfect for opera buffs and those not so familiar. I've had a ton of calls and everyone agrees that you made this the event of the year! There were more than a few eyes filling up when you finished with Puccini.

I applaud you for following your dream--it makes for a happy man.

Other comments:

From a Boston College football fan:
"Who would have ever imagined that a jock could sing like a lark!"

From others:
"I never thought my husband would enjoy anything but country and western music, but in the middle of the performance he squeezed my hand and mouthed, 'This is so wonderful!'

"We loved the information he gave between selections that was so entertaining and informative. I never knew that the composers and the stories in opera were so spicy.�

"I think the inclusion of all the stories of romance were so wonderful on Valentine's weekend. I think he got the attention of some of the men who have had to revise their opinion of just how macho opera really is."

"We couldn't believe the amazingly beautiful tones that came out of Mr. Hornblower's mouth--we had chills top to toe."

"He's a handsome devil, isn't he--did you notice the dimples and the broad shoulders--I thought all opera singers looked like Pavarotti."

"What an absolutely breathtaking experience--to be sitting in your conservatory looking out over the fields with the setting sun behind Ray and listening to him sing with such power and emotion--how very lucky we are to be enjoying this."

"This was the best party we've ever attended--please do it again."

"What a superb way to entertain--I can't imagine how you you top Mr. Hornblower's performance."

"My god, the man has a voice like a beautiful bell."

Download file: Ray Hornblower - Una furtiva lacrima - da L'Elisir d'amore di Gaetano Donizetti