Resident Artists
Ryan Kuster, bass-baritone
AVA 2011 GRADUATE
Hometown: Jacksonville, Illinois
Education: M. M., Boston University, B. M., Westminster Choir College
Competitions: National Semifinalist, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, 2011; Grant Winner, Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation Competition, 2010; District Winner, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Philadelphia), 2010; Encouragement Award, Opera Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Philadelphia), 2008; Harmon Award, Chautauqua Opera, 2008; Finalist, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (New England Region), 2007.
Roles at AVA: Governor, The Scarlet Letter; Schaunard, La bohème; Oroveso in excerpts from Norma; Don Alfonso, Così fan tutte; Count Ribbing, Un ballo in maschera (Act III); Fra Melitone, La forza del destino (Finale, Act II); Dikoj, Kát'a Kabanová; Dottor Grenvil, La traviata; Enrico, Anna Bolena; title role, Don Pasquale.
Other Roles: Garibaldo, Rodelinda, Don Bartolo, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Dr. Cajus, Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor, Merola Young Artists Program; Rambaldo, La Rondine, Oberlin in Italy; The Parson, Badger, and Woodpecker, The Cunning Little Vixen, The Doctor, La traviata, Carl Olsen, Street Scene, all with Chautauqua Opera; Don Pedro (cover), Béatrice et Bénédict and Bluebeard (cover), Bluebeard's Castle, Chicago Opera Theatre; A Man with a Cornet Case, Postcard from Morocco, Benoit, La bohème, Garrido, La Navarraise, Amantio DiNicolao, Gianni Schicchi and covered the roles of Colline in La bohème, Masetto in Don Giovanni and Rakitin in A Month in the Country, all at Boston University; Betto in Gianni Schicchi and in Buoso's Ghost, New Jersey Opera Theatre; Ferrando (second cast), Il trovatore, Snug, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Fr. Laurent, Romeo et Juliette, all with Opera North. In concert - the title role of Handel's Saul, Marsh Chapel Choir and Collegium, Adam, The Creation, B. U. Symphonic Chorus.
Upcoming: Mandrain, Turandot; Astolfo, Lucrezia Borgia; Masetto, Don Giovanni; all with San Francisco Opera.
