Meet the Artists: Priests/Armored Men, Edwin Vega and Darik Knutsen
Today, we introduce you to the two marvelous young men who sing the roles of the Priests and Armored Man #1 and #2 in our February 22 and 24 production of The Magic Flute. Please read on to meet Mr. Edwin Vega and Mr. Darik Knutsen. More information about the singers is available on their websites through these links: Edwin Vega and Darik Knutsen.
First, we have the photo and biography of Mr. Edwin Vega, tenor. Mr. Vega recently earned high praise from the press for his appearance with the English National Opera. We can’t wait to welcome Mr. Vega to Omaha when he joins our The Magic Flute cast as a Priest and Armored Man #1!
Biography: Tenor, Edwin Vega (Courtesy of ADA Artist Management and Representation)
Tenor Edwin Vega recently made his debut with the English National Opera debut as Molqi in Death of Klinghoffer followed by his role debut of Goro in Madama Butterfly with Nevada Opera. This past summer Mr. Vega returned to the Santa Fe Opera as a Servant (Arabella) and King Edrisi understudy in Szymanowski’s King Roger. Mr. Vega recently returned to the dell’Arte Opera Ensemble performing the roles of Tanzmeister and Brighella in new production of Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, and to Chicago Opera Theater for the Chicago premiere of Charpentier’s Medee. Last season he was featured as Rubens Barrichello (the title character’s protégé) in the Metropolitan Opera’s new opera workshop of Michael Torke’s Senna. Mr. Vega made his Carnegie Hall debut in Jerry Springer – The Opera starring Harvey Keitel and sang Rinuccio in the summer of 2010 with the dell’Arte Opera Ensemble’s new production of Gianni Schicchi.
Next, we present the photo and biography of Mr. Darik Knutsen, baritone. Mr. Knutsen is a Priest and Armored Man #2 in our The Magic Flute cast. He also performed in a community outreach appearance for Opera Omaha at the Cathedral Arts Project’s annual Flower Festival this week before beginning rehearsal for The Magic Flute. Mr. Knutsen’s recent performances earned praise from multiple media outlets. Welcome to Omaha, Mr. Knutsen!
Biography: Baritone, Darik Knutsen
Darik Knutsen, baritone from McLean Va, began singing as a boy soprano with the National Cathedral Boys’ Choir when he was 9 years old.
This coming spring he looks forward to singing the title role in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin with Middlebury Opera. This past November Mr. Knutsen made his international debut singing Marcello in La Boheme under Lorin Maazel in Muscat, Oman.
This past summer Mr. Knutsen sang the male lead, Fredrik, in Sondheim’s A Little Night Music with the Castleton Festival. He also understudied the role of Figaro in Rossini’s Barbiere di Siviglia. Previous operatic experience includes Wagner in Faust with the Santa Fe Opera 2011, Arcas in Charpentier’s Médée with Chicago Opera Theater 2011, Schlemil in The Tales of Hoffmann SFO 2010, Servant in the World Premier of Life is a Dream SFO 2010, as well as the title role of Eugene Onegin at the Chautauqua Institute of Music 2009.