ALEX DESOCIO, BARITONE
Described by The New York Times as having a “buttery, booming baritone," Alex DeSocio (Wichita, KS), received his BM from Northwestern University and his MM at the University of Maryland.
Alex has worked in many regional opera companies as a principal artist including, Fort Worth Opera, Pensacola Opera, Anchorage Opera, Opera Memphis, Livermore Valley Opera, Castleton Festival, Opera Santa Barbara, and the Pacific Opera Project.
Awards include being a 2 Time-Metropolitan Council Audition Semi-Finalist, Winner/Laureate with the Queen Elisabeth Competition.
ABOUT
Alex DeSocio’s “buttery, booming baritone” (The New York
Times) has been featured extensively with opera companies
across the United States.
For the 2022/23 season, Mr. DeSocio portrays Figaro in
Shreveport Opera’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, as well as
Schaunard in La bohème with Pensacola Opera. Recent
engagements include La bohème (Marcello) with Opera
Birmingham, Pagliacci (Silvio) with Opera Memphis, L’elisir d’amore (Belcore) with Sarasota
Opera, Roméo et Juliette (Mercutio) with Pensacola Opera, and Carmen (Morales) with Vero Beach
Opera.
Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia is a signature role for Mr. DeSocio, having performed it with
Anchorage Opera, Opera Roanoke, Livermore Valley Opera, Mobile Opera, and Opera Colorado’s
young artist program. Further professional role credits include the title role in Don Giovanni with
Wichita Grand Opera, Le nozze di Figaro (Count Almaviva) with Miami Music Festival, Così fan
tutte (Guglielmo) with LoftOpera, La Cenerentola (Dandini) with Opera Fort Collins, La bohème
(Schaunard) with Charleston Opera Theater, Manon (Lescaut) with Opera Santa Barbara, Carmen
(Le Dancaïre) with Fort Worth Opera, L’heure espangnole (Ramiro) with Opera Memphis, and
Amahl and the Night Visitors (Melchoir) with Amarillo Opera.
During his tenure as a resident artist with Pittsburgh Opera, Mr. DeSocio was seen as Montano in
Otello, Le Commissaire in Philip Glass’ Orphée, Father in Gregory Spears’ Paul ’s Case, and Second
Priest in The Magic Flute. Mr. DeSocio is also an alum of the prestigious Merola Opera Program,
where he portrayed Dr. Malatesta in Don Pasquale.
A highly awarded artist, Mr. DeSocio is a two-time semifinalist of the Metropolitan Opera National
Council auditions, a winner/laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, a Sullivan
Foundation winner, and an Eleanor McCollum Competition finalist. He won 1st place in the
Shreveport Opera Competition, the Palm Springs Opera Guild and Opera Birmingham vocal
competitions, and most recently the Cooper-Bing Competition at Opera Columbus, where he
additionally received the Audience Choice Award. Mr. DeSocio also took 2nd place in the Premiere
Vocal Competition, as well as received the Merola Opera Program’s Shoshana Grant Award.
Mr. DeSocio earned his Bachelor of Music from Northwestern University, and his Master of Music at
the University of Maryland under the tutelage of Leon Major and Dominic Cossa. He is also the only
opera singer certified as an Actor Combatant in The Society of American Fight Directors.
RECENT/UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
June 18th
DAX-THE COMPANION-MOSTLY MODERN FESTIVAL
The first half of the program opens with beloved & cherished modern arias of the 20th/21st century. After intermission, get ready for THE COMPANION, a comic opera set in the future for Soprano, Baritone and Tenor. Come watch Maya navigate romance with her robot boyfriend Joe in THE COMPANION!
November 12th
FIGARO-IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA-SHREVEPORT OPERA
Bribery, deception and disguise. Figaro needs all his wiles to help the Count out-wit Dr. Bartolo and ensure true love wins the day. Shreveport Opera’s production of, “The Barber of Seville”, is a feast of frivolous fun. Enjoy Figaro’s mischievous escapades as he assists Count Almaviva in prising the beautiful Rosina away from her lecherous guardian, Dr Bartolo.
January 20th
SCHAUNDARD-LA BOHEME-PENSACOLA OPERA
One of opera’s most romantic stories makes a long-anticipated return to the Saenger stage. La bohème follows Mimì and Rodolfo from their first meeting to their final devastating moments, capturing their impassioned relationship through the lens of Giacomo Puccini’s masterful, lush orchestrations. From Musetta’s famous waltz, “Quando m’en vo,” to the rousing second act outside the Café Momus—featuring our wonderful Pensacola Opera Chorus—this beloved work features some of opera’s most hummable melodies. The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Jerome Shannon in his first production as Principal Guest Conductor.
January 22nd
SCHAUNDARD-LA BOHEME-PENSACOLA OPERA
One of opera’s most romantic stories makes a long-anticipated return to the Saenger stage. La bohème follows Mimì and Rodolfo from their first meeting to their final devastating moments, capturing their impassioned relationship through the lens of Giacomo Puccini’s masterful, lush orchestrations. From Musetta’s famous waltz, “Quando m’en vo,” to the rousing second act outside the Café Momus—featuring our wonderful Pensacola Opera Chorus—this beloved work features some of opera’s most hummable melodies. The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Jerome Shannon in his first production as Principal Guest Conductor.
