Cortez Mitchell is a fabulous new countertenor on the scene, who spent the 2006-2007 season at the Minnesota Opera as a Resident Artist. He sang a small role in the world premiere opera The Grapes of Wrath by Ricky Ian Gordon, and, better still, sang Cherubino in the alternate cast of Le Nozze di Figaro. It's not often you get to hear a countertenor do this role, and it definitely gives a new twist to the character to have it sung by a man instead of a woman. Cortez did full justice to the part, even taking an optional high B-flat in "Voi che sapete"!

Unfortunately for the Minnesota Opera, but fortunately for Cortez's career, he has left Minnesota for San Francisco, where he has joined the internationally acclaimed male ensemble Chanticleer. But I have no doubt that his career will encompass more opera in the future, as well as many other types of music. Keep your eyes open for this name!

Click here for Cortez's Chanticleer bio

©2007 Xan Laurence

Cortez after an evening performance at the Minnesota Opera studio of scenes workshopped by the Minnesota Opera Resident Artists. Cortez sang Orfeo in the final scene from Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice

©2007 Xan Laurence

Also taken at the workshop

©2007 Xan Laurence

Cortez and Xan backstage at the Ordway Theater in St. Paul, MN, where the Minnesota Opera performs. Cortez had just finished a sterling performance of Cherubino.

©2007 Xan Laurence

Cortez posing with some of Xan's friends, who were very impressed with his performance

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