Baritone Nicholas Fahrenkrug has been sought after throughout the east coast for his burnished sound and thoughtful story-telling across a broad range of challenging repertoire. Fahrenkrug returns to Boston from a recent residency with Seagle Festival where he served as a teaching artist touring a new children’s opera by Evan Mack, as well as a revue featuring one hundred years of Disney music. This season he has been featured with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra in Don Carlos, as well as Boston Opera Collaborative’s Opera Inferno. He has appeared in the chorus with Boston Lyric Opera in Aida, and Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops. Fahrenkrug recently originated the role of James Duffy in Richard Wargo’s newest opera, At That Hour, a commemoration of the great soprano Marcella Sembrich at her studio in Lake George, NY. Fahrenkrug also frequently performs experimental choral music with Nightingale Vocal Ensemble, and his self-directed video cycle, “Dichterliebe: Within and Without”, was awarded a Special Citation for Artistic Achievement from the American Prize in 2021. Notable roles include Hawkins Fuller (Fellow Travelers), Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Giulio Cesare (Giulio Cesare), Conte Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Harlekin (Ariadne auf Naxos), Raimbaud (Le comte Ory), and John Buchanan (Summer and Smoke). Nicholas is a proud alum of Louisiana State University (MM) and Lawrence Conservatory of Music (BM).
VOICES OF WATER | March 12, 2025 Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport, MA | March 14, 2025 Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, MA | March 15, 2025 Cape Cod (TBD)
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins Nightingale Vocal Ensemble in VOICES OF WATER.
"In the spirit of Nightingale's October performance exploring the development of Massachusetts' Quabbin Reservoir, the 'Gales turn their attention to the rest of the State's water-shaped history. Beginning with the creation of Cape Cod and the Islands as told by Massachusetts' indigenous communities, Nightingale also explores the geological formation before examining other important moments. The first Europeans from across the ocean to the waves of Irish immigration to Boston, the vast whaling and fishing industries that shaped local economies, and even present day ecological politics that will inform the Bay State's future -- all of these and more come together to create a rich musical representation of our beloved New England home."
LYSISTRATA | February 15, 2025 | Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory, Boston, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug performs the role of Second Geezer/Philo in Odyssey Opera's production of Lysistrata, under the direction of Gil Rose and Mark Adamo.
"In 2005, composer-librettist Mark Adamo—fresh off his first opera, Little Women—freely adapted, for his second, Aristophanes’s Lysistrata, the comedy about the women of Athens and Sparta who, disgusted by a pointless war, barricade themselves in the Athenian treasury and swear a sanction on sex until their men make peace. “Freely” is the key word here: the composer “…cut all but three scenes of the play, created new male characters, changed the war, and invented a wrangling romance between Lysistrata and the Athenian leader Nico. The opera imagines a woman who, at first, fakes political convictions so as to wreak on her lover an emotional revenge: only later must she ask herself, to whom does she belong, herself or her people? And its score sends its melodies searching through a labyrinth of mirrors; no sooner is a theme sung by one character, given one meaning, than it is assumed by someone else and inflected with quite another. The libretto suggests, ‘Each of you will tell the truth; neither will agree.’ The score aims to make that suggestion an audible process.” Of its celebrated 2005 premiere, Alex Ross, in The New Yorker, wrote “It’s shocking how deep this seemingly lighthearted opera goes.” Twenty years after that debut, Gil Rose conducts and the composer directs an internationally accomplished cast in Boston’s first-ever staging of Lysistrata, to be recorded for release on CD by Pentatone.""
DON CARLOS | January 26, 2025 | Sanders Theater, 45 Quincy St. Cambridge, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins the chorus in Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra's production of Verdi's Don Carlos, under the direction of Federico Cortese.
SOLSTICE | December 21, 2024 | Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins Nightingale Vocal Ensemble in SOLSTICE.
"Nightingale Vocal Ensemble presents an immersive concert that blends old-world traditions, folklore, and the timeless magic of solstice rituals. Many solstice celebrations centered on sacred fires, calling the sun back to the earth—renewal, protection, and the promise of Spring. This concert explores night’s place in our lives: a time for sharing stories, singing songs, confronting fears, and encountering both the divine and the terrible. Expect diverse music—beautiful, folk, strange, and lovely—movement through the space, and a communal sing-along around the fire. Come keep warm around the fire with us on the longest night of the year.""
LAFFONT COMPETITION | December 15, 2024 | Seully Hall, Boston Conservatory, Boston, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug competes in the Boston District of the Metropolitan Opera's Laffont Competition.
OPERA INFERNO | November 15-17, 2024 | Shirley-Eustis House 33 Shirley St. Boston, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug is featured in Boston Opera Collaborative's immersive Horror production Opera Inferno.
"Journey into the flames with Opera Inferno, an immersive 45-minute experience that reimagines Dante’s Inferno as an operatic descent through hell’s most haunting circles. Explore a purgatorial realm where betrayed souls and tormented spirits drift through shadowed halls, each condemned to cycles of suffering that echo Dante's vivid visions. Guided by music from Candide, Sweeney Todd, Akhnaten, and Xerxes, this year's Immersive Horror Opera brings you face-to-face with timeless sins and their terrifying consequences. Characters roam the room, enveloping you in a chilling narrative that unfolds in the historic Shirley-Eustis House. Expect the thrill of operatic classics woven into a haunting storyline of vengeance, regret, and the price of sin.""
AIDA | November 10, 2024 | Emerson Colonial Theater Boston, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins the chorus in Boston Lyric Opera's production of Verdi’s Aida, under the direction of David Angus.
“In the lands of ancient Egypt, commander Radamès must choose between his love for the Ethiopian princess Aida and his loyalty to his sovereign king. In this specially staged concert, Aida will captivate audiences with its heartrending arias, dramatic duets, and some of the most thrilling choral works ever to be performed.”"
BLUE SUN | October 19, 2024 Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, MA | October 20, 2024 Grace Episcopal Church, Amherst, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins Nightingale Vocal Ensemble in BLUE SUN.
"Nightingale Vocal Ensemble presents the New England premiere of Gregory Brown's 2017 cantata un/bodying/s in Boston and Amherst, MA on Oct 19/20, 2024. The piece, scored for 24 voices and set to text by local New England poet Todd Hearon, explores the history and future of the four 'drowned towns' that were 'disincorporated' to make way for the Quabbin Reservoir and provide water for Greater Boston. In providing water for our cities the difficult choices of the past ripple into the future as we confront our shared climate crisis. Also on the program will be Land-locked for double-choir, along with historic and modern works from the shape-note tradition.""
DRAGON'S BREATH | September 6 - October 4, 2024 | Throughout upstate NY
Nicholas Fahrenkrug plays the role of Dewitt in Seagle Festival's touring production of Dragon's Breath.
"A charming original children’s opera by Evan Mack, with libretto by Joshua McGuire, exploring themes of coping with anger and other difficulties faced by young people. Follow young Alan as he gains wisdom in dealing with his own emotions. Excellent for all ages, this charming tale of an imaginary land, an exciting journey, and self-discovery.""
THE MUSICAL WORLD OF DISNEY | August 31 - October 5, 2024 | Throughout upstate NY
Nicholas Fahrenkrug is featured in Seagle Festival's touring production of The Musical World of Disney.
"Join the 2024 Seagle Festival Fall Artists in celebrating 100 years of Disney in this revue of music from many of the Disney movies and musicals, including classics like Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Cinderella, paired with newer hits from The Little Mermaid, Frozen, and Encanto!"
AT THAT HOUR PREMIERE | Aug 24 & 25, 2024 | The Sembrich 4800 Lake Shore Drive Bolton Landing, NY
Nicholas Fahrenkrug plays the role of James Duffy in the premiere of Richard Wargo's newest opera, At That Hour.
"Composed by Richard Wargo. Based on an adaptation by Michael Pavese. Co-produced by The American Center for New Works Development at Seagle Festival. A shared love of classical music brings together two unlikely souls in this Joyce-inspired chamber opera written expressly for The Sembrich studio. Also on the program, works by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. Followed by a lakeside reception. This work was written for the Marcella Sembrich Memorial Association in commemoration of the centennial of The Sembrich Studio. Presented in Partnership with The American Center for New Works Development at Seagle Festival, and Hyperion String Quartet.""
ORFEO ED EURIDICE | June 13, 2024 | Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts 41 Hampshire St. Cambridge, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins the chorus in NEMPAC Opera Project's production of Orfeo ed Euridice by Christoph Willibald Glück, under the direction of Alyssa Wang.
"Set in the 90’s gay club scene; we journey to the underworld with Orfeo as she processes her grief of the loss of her wife, Euridice. Remembering that Gay Marriage was not legalized in Massachussetts until 2004, we explore the story of these lovers from the Queer community in a place where self expression and sexuality are unencumbered by politics or other oppressive ideologies.""
MILTON COMMUNITY CONCERTS | April 28, 2024 | 535 Canton Ave. Boston, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug is featured in Milton Community Concerts' "In Community: A Concert Celebrating LGBTQ+ Stories".
"This benefit concert, “In Community: A Concert Celebrating LGBTQ+ Stories”, will support the Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts. The program will feature musical theater favorites, jazz standards, concert songs, arias, and cabaret songs, primarily composed by LGBTQ+ composers. Featured singers Michael Alexander Aoun, Nick Fahrenkrug, Morgan Mastroangelo, and Alexis Peart will join dancers Holly Stone and Michael Winward, and will be assisted by baritone Joel Clemens and pianist Timothy Steele.""
NAOMI IN THE LIVING ROOM | January 25 & 26, 2024 | Room&Board 375 Newbury St. Boston, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug covers the role of John in Boston Opera Collaborative's production of Naomi in the Living Room.
"Jonathan Bailey Holland's brilliantly outrageous and hilarious comedy, features one of the most unforgettable heroines of the operatic stage, based on the play by Christopher Durang. Joining Naomi at home is her hapless son, John, and his long-suffering wife, Johnna, who have come for their weekly and torturous visit. Not recommended for children; adult content and language.""
NORMA | January 15, 2024 | Sanders Theatre 45 Quincy St. Cambridge, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins the chorus in Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra's production of Bellini's Norma, under the direction of Federico Cortese.
LAFFONT COMPETITION | December 17, 2023 | Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory, Boston, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug competes in the Boston District of the Metropolitan Opera's Laffont Competition.
HOLIDAY POPS | December 1 - 24, 2023 | Throughout greater Boston, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins the Boston Holiday Pops tour as a Bass chorister, bringing the classically festive Holiday Pops to audiences across the north east, as well as at Symphony Hall under the direction of Keith Lockhart.
JOURNEY OF SEASONS | November 16, 2023 David Friend Recital Hall, Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA | November 18, 2023 York Public Library, York, ME
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins Nightingale Vocal Ensemble as Baritone soloist in Andrew List’s cycle for vocal quartet, clarinet, and piano titled Journey of Seasons.
"Nightingale will perform the Massachusetts and Maine premieres of Andrew List's cycle for vocal quartet, clarinet, and piano titled "Journey of Seasons." Featuring poetry by Queer, Belgian-American writer, May Sarton, "Journey of Seasons" uses the image of a garden as a metaphor for the self amidst life's seasons. In tandem with the performance, we will invite a modern poetry scholar to present on Sarton and her impact on 20th century American literature."
INAUGURAL PATRICIA CRUMP VOCAL COMPETITION | November 4, 2023 | The Florentine Opera Lueders Opera Center, Milwaukee, WI
Nicholas Fahrenkrug competes as a finalist in the Inaugural Patricia Crump Vocal Competition.
WHISPERS: ECHOES FROM THE HALLS | October 7 - 8, 2023 | Shirley-Eustis House, Boston, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins Boston Opera Collaborative in the role of 'The Man' in their immersive horror opera experience.
“This 45-minute operatic experience will immerse you in a story of betrayal, murder, and mystery. Weaving together some of opera’s most chilling moments in a brand new narrative, Whispers: Echoes from the Halls is sure to leave you primed for the Halloween season. Our story, woven together with music from operas like Don Giovanni, Turn of the Screw, Salome, Lucia di Lammermoor, and more, will tell a spooky murder-mystery narrative about a condemned man, who did it, and why. Unique in its presentation and leaning heavily into the spookiness of the venue, Whispers: Echoes from the Halls is sure to excite audiences.”
THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO | September 21, 23, 2023 | Old North Church, Boston, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins Nightingale Vocal Ensemble as Audio Visual Producer and Ensemble Member for The Cask of Amontillado.
“A choral dramatization of Boston-born author Edgar Allan Poe’s short story The Cask of Amontillado, featuring the music of Carlo Gesualdo. Most infamous for murdering his wife and her lover (and well known for his dissonant Italian Renaissance polyphonic music), Gesualdo pairs perfectly with the macabre writing for which Poe is most famous. This semi-staged production is directed by Angela Yam (ADRIFT) and features Nathan Halbur as the narrator, Montresor.”
AVIAN MENAGERIE | August 5, 2023 Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, MA | August 6, 2023 Salisbury Congregational Church, Salisbury, VT
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins Nightingale Vocal Ensemble for their 5th Anniversary album project, Avian Menagerie.
“Avian Menagerie is a carefully curated concert program selected from dozens of pieces created especially for the ensemble by its resident composers, representing some of the best original music that Nightingale has performed to date. This playful, profound, whimsical, and poignant collection of new choral music will be performed by 16 virtuoso singers a cappella.”
ADRIFT at the Emily Dickinson International Society | July 22-23, 2023 | Emily Dickinson Museum, Amherst, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins Nightingale Vocal Ensemble in their first reprise of ADRIFT.
“After the widely successful world premiere in March of ADRIFT, our original choral opera based on the works of Emily Dickinson, Nightingale has been invited to perform the work again at the Emily Dickinson International Society's annual meeting in Amherst, MA.”
ADRIFT | March 18, 19, 2023 | BCA Plaza Black Box, Boston, MA
Nicholas Fahrenkrug joins Nightingale Vocal Ensemble in ADRIFT.
“A first-of-its-kind staged choral opera, ADRIFT tells a love story through the words of queer New Englander Emily Dickinson. Featuring entirely new musical settings by Nightingale resident composers, and under the direction of Angela Yam, this hour-long theatrical experience brings to life a carefully curated selection from Dickinson’s nearly 2,000 poems. The members of Nightingale Vocal Ensemble will use all of their compositional, vocal, and dramatic capabilities to celebrate—and expand—the unique capacity for an ensemble to tell a story.”
Awarded by the American Prize in Opera Performance for my art film “Dichterliebe: Within and Without” in 2021, this guerilla style video cycle was inspired by the earliest days of the COVID-19 outbreak.
I was unsatisfied with the idea of performing a degree recital to an empty room. The time, if you can imagine it, was before livestreaming was common practice. I wanted to create a space where my audience could interact with the piece without feeling that “it would’ve been better in person.” This project was the first time I ever worked with the digital medium and I am eager to produce more with it.
Send me an email at:
nfahrenkrugbaritone@gmail.com
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