Will Liverman facts for kids
Will Liverman is a talented American opera singer, known for his deep voice (called a baritone). He was born on May 10, 1988. Many people, including NPR, think he's a very exciting new singer in the opera world. He has sung in many important shows at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
Education and Training
Will Liverman studied music at some excellent schools. He earned a special degree called a Master of Music from The Juilliard School, which is a famous performing arts school. Before that, he got his first music degree from Wheaton College in Illinois. He also trained at the Ryan Opera Center, which helps young opera singers.
Opera Performances
Will Liverman has sung in many big opera shows. In 2023, he played Malcolm X in an opera called X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X at the Metropolitan Opera.
He also had a very important role in the 2021 Metropolitan Opera production of Fire Shut Up in My Bones. This show was special because it was the first opera by a Black composer ever performed at the Metropolitan Opera. It also featured an all-Black cast. Will Liverman sang the main part in this groundbreaking show. He later sang the same role in Chicago in 2022.
Composing Music
Will Liverman also creates new music. He worked with a DJ and recording artist named K-Rico to make a unique opera called The Factotum. This opera was inspired by a classic opera, The Barber of Seville.
The Factotum is set in a barbershop in Chicago today. It mixes different types of music like gospel, R&B, and hip hop with traditional opera singing. Will Liverman said this work is "a celebration of being black."
Other Musical Work
In 2021, Will Liverman released an album called Dreams of a New Day: Songs by Black Composers. He worked with pianist Paul Sanchez on this album. It became very popular and reached number one on Billboard's Traditional Classical Albums chart. The album was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album.
A music critic named Norman Lebrecht wrote that listening to the album was a great pleasure. He said that Liverman "summons up a gamut of emotions and colours" with his voice.
