JOEL SORENSEN
TENOR
BIOGRAPHY
Joel Sorensen is recognized as one of the finest tenors to specialize in character repertoire, regularly praised for the clarion quality of his voice and a superlative vocal technique that supports his consummate musicality and impeccable diction. He excels in German repertoire, performing internationally as Andres in Wozzeck and Mime in Der Ring des Nibelungen. The Independent (London) said, “Joel Sorensen, well known to both New York City and Metropolitan Opera audiences, is a beautifully expressive tenor, gifted at characterization, who made Mime rise above caricature to emerge as a surprisingly lyrical, put-upon creature.” After a successful run as Spoletta in Tosca last season, he will return to San Diego Opera this season to sing Goro in Madama Butterfly.
Most recently, Mr. Sorensen performed the role of Spoletta in Tosca with San Francisco Opera and Opera San Antonio, Goro in Madama Butterfly with Nashville Opera and Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Beppe in Pagliacci with Greensboro Opera, the Witch in Hansel and Gretel with San Diego Opera, and performed as a soloist in Greensboro Opera and Eastern Music Festival’s Send in the Clowns concert. Engagements in 2020 and 2021 were to include returns to the Lyric Opera of Chicago for the The Ring and Tosca as well as Herod in Salome for Opera San Jose and Maestro Trabuco in La forza del destino for the Canadian Opera Company. [read more...]
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"...sharp tongue and a ringing tenor range…” – CBC News
Of Mice and Men – “Joel Sorensen presents a wiry and twitchy Curly equipped with swishing riding crop, sharp tongue and a ringing tenor range…”
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"...a voice bright as a diamond..." – Toledo Blade
Madama Butterfly – “Tenor Joel Sorensen portrayed Goro, the meddling, ambitious marriage broker, conveying a hyperactive energy with a voice bright as a diamond. His frantic machinations flash through the drama without blinding.”
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"...a beautifully expressive tenor, gifted at characterization..." – The Independent (London)
Das Rheingold – “A splendid find amid this string case was Longborough’s new Mime…Joel Sorensen, well known to both New York City and Metropolitan Opera audiences, is a beautifully expressive tenor, gifted at characterization, who made Mime rise above caricature to emerge as a surprisingly lyrical, put-upon creature.”
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"...brilliant versatility..." – Opera News
Les contes d’Hoffmann – “Tenor Joel Sorensen showed brilliant versatility in the four comic parts.”
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"...exceptional vocal agility and physical athleticism..." – Willamette Week
Die Entführung aus dem Serail – “More fitting was Joel Sorensen in the role of Pedrillo, Belmonte’s servant. Sorensen also combined exceptional vocal agility and physical athleticism, especially when he executed a standing jump over the back of a couch and delivered Frisch zum Kampfe.”