Eric Owens (bass-baritone) facts for kids

Eric Owens, born on July 11, 1970, is a talented American opera singer. He is known as a bass-baritone, which means he sings with a deep voice. Eric Owens has performed in many different operas, both new ones and classic stories. In 1996, he won a big singing contest called the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. This helped him start his amazing career.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Eric Owens was born in Philadelphia. He started learning music at a young age. When he was just 6 years old, he began playing the piano. He took lessons at the Settlement Music School.

As he got older, his musical interests changed. In junior high school, he became interested in the oboe. He continued his oboe studies at the Settlement Music School. Later, he studied oboe while attending Central High School in Philadelphia.

Discovering His Voice

During his last year of high school, Eric Owens started studying singing seriously. He joined a special program at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance. He then went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Temple University in 1993.

After that, he continued his singing studies. He joined the graduate voice program at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. There, he learned even more about singing.

A Career on the Opera Stage

After finishing his studies, Eric Owens joined a program for young artists. This was at the Houston Grand Opera. He made his first big appearance there as Ramfis in the opera Aida.

Since then, Eric Owens has sung in many famous opera houses around the world. These include the San Francisco Opera and the Royal Opera in London. He has also performed at the Los Angeles Opera and the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

New and Classic Roles

Eric Owens is known for singing in both new and old operas. He has even helped create roles in several world premiere operas. A world premiere is the very first time an opera is performed.

For example, he played the main character General Leslie Groves in the first performance of Doctor Atomic. This opera was written by John Adams in 2005. He also played Grendel in an opera of the same name in 2006. Later that year, he was the Storyteller in another new opera by John Adams, A Flowering Tree.

In 2010, Eric Owens took on the role of Alberich. This was in the Met's new production of Wagner’s famous Ring Cycle. He also sang the part of Porgy in the well-known opera Porgy and Bess in 2014-2015.

Awards and Recognition

Eric Owens has received many important awards for his singing.

• 2012 Grammy Award: Best Opera Recording, for Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen
• 2011 Grammy Award: Best Opera Recording, for Adams: Doctor Atomic
• 2003 Marian Anderson Award
• First prize in the Plácido Domingo Operalia Competition