Kenneth Kellogg

American bass Kenneth Kellogg’s recent career highlights include his recent Wagner debut as Fafner in Seattle Opera’s celebrated new production of Das Rheingold, a role he also sang at Calgary Opera. Returning to Seattle, he made his debut in the title role X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X; other recent appearances include Il Re Aida in concert at Detroit Opera, Colline La Boheme with Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, Falstaff The Merry Wives of Windsor at Pocket Opera and as Logger Bulrusher at West Edge Opera—both new productions.

Productions this season include Father Blue at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Ramfis Aida at Daytona Opera, the role of Kourouscha in Dede’s rarely heard Morgiane to be presented with Louisiana Philhamonic and Opera Lafayette, and in his return to Washington National Opera, his debut as Crown Porgy and Bess. Future appearances include a return to Wagner with Daland Der fliegende Holländer and Wotan Die Walkure (Act III) in concert.

A significant feature of the last three seasons is the artist’s creation of the role of Father Blue, named the best new opera of 2020 by the Music Critics Association of North America, a role written for him by Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson. Kenneth sang the role in its world premiere at Glimmerglass Festival, and following at Detroit Opera, Toledo Opera, Seattle Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Washington National Opera and internationally at Dutch National Opera in The Netherlands, and at London’s English National Opera.

In recent seasons, Mr Kellogg appeared as Commendatore Don Giovanni at Seattle Opera, Basilio Il Barbiere di Siviglia at San Francisco Opera, Rocco Fidelio at North Carolina Opera, Raimondo Lucia de Lammermoor and Ferrando Il Trovatore at Madison Opera and Grand Inquisitor/Philip II (c) Don Carlo at Maryland Opera.

In 2020 he returned to Europe to Kraków, Poland for highly lauded performances of Rossini’s Sigismondo in the two roles of Ulderico and Zenovito with Capella Cracoviensis. In the US he sang Monterone in Minnesota Opera’s new production of Rigoletto and revived the role of Sam Bakewell The Summer King at Michigan Opera Theatre, a role he inaugurated at Pittsburgh Opera during its world premiere. He returned to Washington National Opera for Father Palmer Silent Night and sang the role of Ashby La fanciulla del West at Maryland Opera.

Past milestones include Mephistopheles Faust at Opera de Lausanne in a return engagement following his success as Sarastro Die Zauberflote for the company, Count Sam Horn Un ballo in Maschera at Opera de Oviedo in Spain, Zuniga Carmen at PORTopera, and Young Emile Champion for Opera Parallele in its West Coast premiere. He also appeared as Sarastro at Virginia Opera and Opera Memphis. At Annapolis Opera, Kenneth made his debut as Don Alfonso Cosi fan tutte. Additional roles include Leporello Don Giovanni, the title role Hercules, The King Ariodante, Osmin Die Entführung aus dem Serail, and Sparafucile Rigoletto.

Born and raised in Washington, D.C, the artist began his formal musical training at the Duke Ellington School of the Performing and Visual Arts as a Vocal and Visual Arts student. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Ohio University. He continued his studies at the Academy of Vocal Arts, and at Wolf Trap Opera; he is an Alumnus of the Adler Fellowship at San Francisco Opera and the Domingo-Cafritz Emerging Artist Program at Washington National Opera.