CURT OLDS
BARITONE/DIRECTOR
BIOGRAPHY
With an active career in both opera and musical theatre, baritone Curt Olds has been seen in productions ranging fromDon Pasquale and Die Zauberflöte to musicals such as Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, The Threepenny Opera, Broadway’s Riverdanceand Cats. Hailed by Opera News as “A wonderful singing actor, as adept in pointing dialogue as in phrasing song,” Curt is best known for his portrayal of the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzanceand his signature role as Ko-Ko in The Mikado, for which he has some 22 productions to his credit.
Curt joined the International Tour of The Phantom of the Opera as Andre in January of 2019, which continued performances through the end of 2020 in Manila, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tel Aviv, and South Korea. In that season he also returned to Bigfork Summer Playhouse to direct 9 to 5 as well as Utah Festival Opera for The Fantasticks and 33 Variations.
Last season, Olds reprised his classic performances of The Pirates of Penzance as Major General Stanley with Nashville Opera and the Pirate King with Anchorage Opera, in addition to the Baker in Into the Woods with Tulsa Opera. The summer of 2023 also marked the first season of Curt’s position as Director of Artistic Planning at Utah Festival Opera. This season, he returns to Intermountain Opera as Billy Bigelow in Carousel and reprises his General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance in a soon to be announced production. [read more...]
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"... marvelous vocal control..." – ArtsKnoxville
Cabaret – “Embodying the symbolism of decadence was the Emcee, played here by Olds with a delicious slinking slyness that often exploded through his marvelous vocal control. It was this control that allowed him to present a gamut of emotions, from lyrical presenter to harsh victim of his own making."
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"...wonderful singing actor as adept in pointing dialog as in phrasing song..." – Opera News
Die Fledermaus – “Curt Olds, a dapper, lively Falke, is a wonderful singing actor as adept in pointing dialog as in phrasing song.”
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"...shining performance..." – Courier-Journal
The Mikado – “Olds’ shining performance compels in his comic timing, conveying physical humor (particularly in his opening song where he has to carry a large, heavy ax) and using his vocal chops carrying the tunes and the witty intent of the lyrics. Because he is often a blustery buffoon, unexpectedly his performance became deeply moving when Ko-Ko spied Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum flirting and his heartbroken state was evident as he tried to hide his face. Olds particularly dazzled when he sang ‘As some day it may happen,’ in which he lists all offenders of society who “who never would be missed” if he executed them.”
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"...entrancing in both singing and acting..." – Honolulu Advertiser
Pirates of Penzance – “Curt Olds was back, and just as entrancing in both singing and acting. His role seemed written for him, his light, firm baritone creating a most civilized rogue, handsome and uniformly charming.”
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"...smooth and light baritone ... – The Register-Guard
H.M.S. Pinafore – "Curt Olds’ supposedly well-bred Captain Corcoran captured hearts from his first aria “I am the Captain of the Pinafore.” His smooth and light baritone paired well with the funny antics Olds engaged in — from puking in a bucket to frantically whipping his ship with a cat (o’ nine tails)."
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"...immediately entertaining..." – Star Advertiser
The Magic Flute – “Olds is immediately entertaining as the comic sidekick but plays his serious scenes with equal finesse.”