Music is a passion to Robert Grayson. As General Director of Opera Louisiane he shares that passion with the public of Baton Rouge in an effort to expand and enrich the cultural life of the community.
Grayson has sung over 100 performances as leading tenor at the New York City Opera in such operas as La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, Tosca, Norma, Mefistofele, La Traviata and Carmen and has appeared in many operas around the country and across the globe. He can be heard as "Ceasar" on New World Records' recording Antony and Cleopatra which was awarded a "Grammy" for Outstanding Classical Recording in 1986.
In addition, Grayson also serves as Kirkpatrick Professor and Chair of the Voice/Opera Division at the LSU School of Music. From 1998 to 2002 he served as artistic director of the LSU Opera and directed productions of La Traviata, La Boheme and Carmen. He founded the Patrons of the LSU Opera and coordinated efforts with the Baton Rouge Opera Guild, and BRAVO(Baton Rouge Area Volunteers for Opera).
Originally from Southern California, Grayson has lived in New Mexico and New York before coming to Baton Rouge where he and his wife Karola have live for the past 23 years.
He has a Bachelor's and Master's of Music from California State University and debuted at the San Diego Opera at the age of 22. He completed his Doctoral studies at the University of Southern California and the Juliard School in New York City and sang ten seasons at the New York City Opera.
What inspired you to start Opera Louisiane? The time was right for Baton Rouge, as the new first city of Louisiana, to complete its pantheon of profesional arts organizations. The growth of the downtown area, the interest in the arts made this an ideal time to develop opera in Baton Rouge. Louisiana has produced so many international quality singers who deserve to be heard in the their hometown and home state.
Why do you think this is an important organization for Baton Rouge to have? Because of our three pronged mission: (1) Major Productions: Bring the best possible international artists, ecspecially with Louisiana connections. (2) Young People's Opera: Bring full opera productions to children in the schools of East Baton Rouge and surrounding parishes at no charge. (3) Young Artist Program: Provide transitional experiences for Louisiana students to the profession in young people's opera productions.
What is musical theatre to you and how do you feel it affects people? Most people who have not actually attended a live opera don't know that they already like it! Lots of opera excerpts appear in films and commercials - - - If there's a tune you really enjoyed, there's a good chance it may have come from opera. There is a palpable energy in live performance that cannot be duplicated on screen or broadcast. Opera combines orchestra, solo voices, chorus, drama, sets, costumes, lighting and make-up.
