Artist of the Week: Dean Murphy
American Baritone Returns to the United States After Eight Years in ‘The Barber of Seville’
By Francisco SalazarThis week, in time for Valentine’s Day, the San Diego Opera is set to present “The Barber of Seville” featuring a cast of rising stars including Dean Murphy, who returns to the United States after eight years.
The American baritone first debuted the role of Figaro 11 years ago at the Connecticut Lyric Opera in 2015 and has gone on to perform the work at the Opernhaus Zürich in 2019, Deutsche Oper Berlin from 2021-2026, and Royal Danish Opera in 2025.
Now he returns to the states for his debut at the San Diego Opera in one of his signature roles.
Regarding this debut, Murphy told OperaWire, “Figaro has been with me nearly every season since I debuted the role. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to perform Rossini’s ‘Il Barbiere di Siviglia’ so many times because it forces me to continuously find flexibility, height and strength in my sound. This time, I’m bringing him to the West Coast where I will celebrate my 30th performance of the role at San Diego Opera. I’ve had the pleasure of singing Figaro at Opernhaus Zürich, The Royal Danish Opera and of course my home theater: Deutsche Oper Berlin. I’m so happy to be in sunny San Diego preparing Barbiere with a fantastic cast led by Maestro Yves Abel and Chuck Hudson. It’s a dreamy return to America after eight years in Europe.”
Murphy was first an International Opera Studio at Opernhaus Zürich from 2018 to 2020 and later became a member of the Deutsche Oper Berlin ensemble where he has performed a number of lead roles. He has also performed at the theater an der Wien, Oper Vlaanderen and Semperoper Dresden.
And for those not in San Diego, Murphy has more U.S. performances lined up this season including “Of Mice and Men” at the Des Moines Metro Opera, and “Lucia di Lammermoor” at the Berkshire Opera Festival.
Recordings
To hear more of Murphy, here he is in “The Barber of Seville” and “The Queen of Spades.”
