GORDON HAWKINS
BARITONE
BIOGRAPHY
Gordon Hawkins is critically acclaimed throughout the world for his in-depth interpretations and lush baritone voice. A dramatic baritone with an international reputation as a “Rigoletto specialist,” Mr. Hawkins has delighted audiences as the tragic Verdi underdog in more than 200 performances, most recently with the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Vancouver Opera, Washington National Opera, Arizona Opera, and Opera Colorado. He is now earning critical acclaim as a Wagner specialist: “Alberich was superbly realized by baritone Gordon Hawkins, in his [Los Angeles Opera] début. Despite wearing a grotesque puppet head and clunky boots that hobbled his movements, Hawkins delivered a sterling vocal characterization of the power-mad Nibelung.” (Opera News). He has been engaged as Alberich in Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen at esteemed international companies including San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Seattle Opera, Washington National Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Teatro de la Maestranza de Sevilla, and the BBC Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall in London.
Last season saw Hawkins return to the Lyric Opera of Chicago for the World Premiere of Proximity, a project he assisted in creating during its workshop, as well as perform the role of Tonio in Pagliacciwith San Antonio Opera. This season, Hawkins makes his role début as Alphonse in Frankenstein with Arizona Opera and joins New Orleans Opera to reprise his Reverend in Blue. [read more...]
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"...a masterly Nabucco, with convincing acting in a role that requires him to be overbearing, then feeble, then contrite..." – The Seattle Times
Nabucco – “Gordon Hawkins is a masterly Nabucco, with convincing acting in a role that requires him to be overbearing, then feeble, then contrite (it’s not often that an operatic title character is struck by lightning). Even allowing for the effects of the lightning strike, Hawkins’ voice…rose to greatness in his final scene.”
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"...an imposing presence throughout [...] Hawkins adapts himself with ease..." – Daily Camera
Rigoletto – “Baritone Gordon Hawkins is an imposing presence throughout, whether playing the titular jester as a vicious, mean-spirited trickster, as in the opening scenes; or as the humiliated fool who unwittingly assists in his daughter’s kidnapping and defilement, or as the ultimate tragic figure whose triumphant vengeance is instantly transformed to utter despair at the end. When he needs to be tenderer, as in his gorgeous duets with soprano Rachele Gilmore, who plays Rigoletto’s daughter Gilda, Hawkins adapts himself with ease. Hawkins clearly considers this a signature role, and it shows.”
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"...you’re in the clutches of one unforgettably sinister badass." – Straight.com
Tosca – “Scarpia is arguably the most wretched villain in all of opera, and from the minute shaven-headed baritone Gordon Hawkins first cuts a swath onto the stage, you know you’re in the clutches of one unforgettably sinister badass. His eyes even roll ecstatically back into his head in the first act as he imagines forcing the raven-haired title character to sleep with him.”
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"...Hawkins delivered a sterling vocal characterization of the power-mad Nibelung." – Opera News
Das Rheingold – “Alberich was superbly realized by baritone Gordon Hawkins, in his LAO debut. Despite wearing a grotesque puppet head and clunky boots that hobbled his movements, Hawkins delivered a sterling vocal characterization of the power-mad Nibelung.”
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"...nearly stole the show all evening." – The New York Times
Das Rheingold – “None of this would matter, though, without the powerful singing of the baritone Gordon Hawkins as Alberich, who nearly stole the show all evening.”