Baritone Adam Richardson is a celebrated artist known for his captivating performances across opera, concert, and theatre stages. Praised by Opera News for his “gorgeous textured baritone,” Richardson’s career has been marked by a series of impressive achievements and notable debuts.
In the upcoming 2023-2024 season, Richardson is set to make his debuts with Virginia Opera in Sanctuary Road and with Music Theatre Wichita. Additionally, he will return to Opera in the Heights as Schaunard in La Boheme. The previous season, 2022-2023, showcased Richardson as he portrayed Yoshio in Hanjo with Catapult Opera, a role he reprised at Teatro Sociale di Trento, Italy. A significant highlight was his house debut with Opera Omaha, where he commanded the title role of Malcolm X in X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X. He was seen in the world premiere of Factotum at Lyric Opera of Chicago and his return to the role of John Mack at Pittsburgh Opera in We Shall Not Be Moved, a work he originated and premiered in 2017. Richardson’s versatility extended to the realm of film, marking his first appearance in the famed “Blue’s Clue’s” franchise with Blue’s Clue’s Big City Adventure.
The 2021-2022 season saw Richardson in the Off-Broadway cast of Ricky Ian Gordon’s Intimate Apparel at Lincoln Center Theater. He appeared as Sciarrone in Tosca at Cincinnati Opera, gave a debut recital with Linton Chamber Music, and performed a Liederabend with Beth Morrison Projects. Richardson also made his debut at Barrington Stage Company as Mr. Lindquist in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music. Throughout previous seasons, Richardson’s career has been punctuated by remarkable milestones. He spent 18 months on a Broadway National Tour and participated in the virtual Night of Black Excellence gala with Fort Worth Opera. He engaged in THE MOVE Project with the University of Utah and presented a debut recital titled Stand the Storm with Extensity Concert Series. His roles included Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte with Opera in the Heights and John Mack in We Shall Not Be Moved at Opera Philadelphia, The Apollo, and the Dutch National Opera. He debuted with Amarillo Opera as the title role in Joshua’s Boots and performed as Jake in Porgy and Bess at esteemed venues like Alte Oper Frankfurt, Staatsoper Hamburg, and Opera de Massy. Richardson has also been featured at Central City Opera as Sciarrone in Tosca and Horace Tabor in The Ballad of Baby Doe. He has been a studio member at various renowned companies, including Opera Santa Barbara, Caramoor, Cincinnati Opera, Opera North, and The Brevard Music Festival.
Richardson’s artistic accomplishments have been duly recognized through numerous awards. He was named the New Mexico District Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Competition and emerged as a Finalist in the Giulio Gari Competition. He received the Encouragement Award from the Gerda Lissner Song Competition and the Harlem Opera Theatre, as well as the Young Talent Award from the Lotte Lenya Competition. Richardson secured second place in the Pittsburgh National Arts and Letters competition and was a two-time Benjamin Matthews Competition Finalist.
Hailing from Smithfield, Virginia, Richardson is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and The Juilliard School, where he earned a Master’s degree.