# Jack Swanson

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{{Short description|American operatic tenor, born 1992}}
'''Jack Swanson''' (born March 29, 1992)<ref name=Bach /> is an American operatic [tenor](/source/tenor) with a high lyric voice,<ref>[https://kcopera.org/cast/jack-swanson/ "Jack Swanson"], [Lyric Opera of Kansas City](/source/Lyric_Opera_of_Kansas_City). Rerieved December 21, 2025.</ref> who specializes in ''[bel canto](/source/bel_canto)'' roles in operas by composers such as [Rossini](/source/Rossini) and [Donizetti](/source/Donizetti). He has appeared at major international opera houses, including New York's [Metropolitan Opera](/source/Metropolitan_Opera), the [Vienna State Opera](/source/Vienna_State_Opera), the [Hamburg State Opera](/source/Hamburg_State_Opera), and [Lyric Opera of Chicago](/source/Lyric_Opera_of_Chicago).<ref>[https://www.metopera.org/globalassets/season/2024-25/il-barbiere-di-siviglia/programs/060525-il-barbiere-di-siviglia.pdf Program of June 5, 2025, for ''Il Barbiere di Siviglia''], Metropolitan Opera. Retrieved December 19, 2025.</ref>

==Early life and training==
Swanson was born on March 29, 1992, in [Stillwater, Minnesota](/source/Stillwater%2C_Minnesota).<ref name=Bach>Aryeh Oron (June 2, 2018), [https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Swanson-Jack.htm "Jack Swanson (Tenor)"], Bach Cantatas Website. Retrieved December 19, 2025.</ref> He graduated from [Stillwater Area High School](/source/Stillwater_Area_High_School) in 2010.<ref name=Bach />

He obtained a [Bachelor of Music](/source/Bachelor_of_Music) in vocal performance from the [University of Oklahoma](/source/University_of_Oklahoma) in 2014. While an undergraduate, he participated in the summer vocal training program (2012 and 2013) of the [Seagle Music Colony](/source/Seagle_Music_Colony),<ref>[https://seaglefestival.org/former-artists/ "Former Artists], Seagle Festival. Retrieved December 21, 2025.</ref> performing Tobias Ragg in Sondheim's ''[Sweeney Todd](/source/Sweeney_Todd%3A_The_Demon_Barber_of_Fleet_Street)'' and the title role in Benjamin Britten's ''[Albert Herring](/source/Albert_Herring)''.<ref name=Bach /> As a student of [Linda Esther Gray](/source/Linda_Esther_Gray), he won first prize in the undergraduate [art song](/source/art_song) category of the [Hal Leonard](/source/Hal_Leonard) Vocal Competition in 2014.<ref>[https://www.halleonard.com/vocalcomp/2014index.jsp "The 2014 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition Winners"], halleonard.com. Retrieved December 23, 2025.</ref>

He continued his studies at the [Shepherd School of Music](/source/Shepherd_School_of_Music) at Rice University, receiving a [Master of Music](/source/Master_of_Music) in May 2016.<ref name=Bach /> At Rice he sang Almaviva in Rossini's ''[Il barbiere di Siviglia](/source/Il_barbiere_di_Siviglia)'' and Eurimaco in Monteverdi's ''[Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria](/source/Il_ritorno_d'Ulisse_in_patria)''.<ref name=Bach /> He spent two summers in the [Santa Fe Opera](/source/Santa_Fe_Opera) apprentice program, during which he performed the Stage Manager in Mozart's ''[The Impressario](/source/The_Impressario)'' and a Japanese Envoy in Stravinsky's ''[Le Rossignol](/source/Le_Rossignol)'' in 2014<ref>[https://www.santafeopera.org/whats-on/the-impresario-le-rossignol-2014/ "''The Impresario'' & ''Le Rossignol'' 2014], [Santa Fe Opera](/source/Santa_Fe_Opera). Retrieved December 21, 2025.</ref> and A Peasant in Donizetti's ''[The Daughter of the Regiment](/source/The_Daughter_of_the_Regiment)'' in 2015.<ref>[https://www.santafeopera.org/whats-on/daughter-of-the-regiment-2015/ "''Daughter of the Regiment'' 2015"], Santa Fe Opera. Retrieved December 21, 2025.</ref> He also won first place in the Scholarship Division of the 2015 [National Opera Association](/source/National_Opera_Association) Vocal Competition.<ref>[https://www.noa.org/competitions/vocal-competition/2015-vocal-winners.html "Winners of the 2015 NOA Vocal Competition"], NOA.org. Retrieved December 23, 2025.</ref>

==Career==
Swanson made his major stage debut in the 2015–2016 season with the [Des Moines Metro Opera](/source/Des_Moines_Metro_Opera) as Fenton in Verdi's ''[Falstaff](/source/Falstaff_(opera))''. He also sang with Opera [Fort Collins](/source/Fort_Collins) as Ramiro in Rossini's ''[La Cenerentola](/source/La_Cenerentola)''.<ref name=NapaValley>[https://festivalnapavalley.org/artists/jack-swanson/ "Jack Swanson"], [Festival Napa Valley](/source/Festival_Napa_Valley). Retrieved December 19, 2025.</ref>

In the 2016–2017 season he appeared with Winter Opera Saint Louis as Camille in Lehar's ''[The Merry Widow](/source/The_Merry_Widow)'', with [Opera Memphis](/source/Opera_Memphis) as Frederic in Gilbert and Sullivan's ''[The Pirates of Penzance](/source/The_Pirates_of_Penzance)'', with [Opera Delaware](/source/Opera_Delaware) as Ramiro in ''La Cenerentola'', and with England's [Garsington Opera](/source/Garsington_Opera) as Albazar in Rossini's ''[Il turco in Italia](/source/Il_turco_in_Italia)''.<ref name=Bach /><ref name=NapaValley /> Concert appearances included Handel's ''[Messiah](/source/Messiah_(Handel))'' with the [Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra](/source/Indianapolis_Symphony_Orchestra), Bruckner's [Te Deum](/source/Te_Deum_(Bruckner)) with the [Houston Symphony Orchestra](/source/Houston_Symphony_Orchestra), and Mozart's [Requiem](/source/Requiem_(Mozart)) with the [Oregon Symphony Orchestra](/source/Oregon_Symphony_Orchestra).<ref name=Bach />

In October and November of 2017 he appeared as Almaviva in Rossini's ''[Il barbiere di Siviglia](/source/Il_barbiere_di_Siviglia)'' on the [Glyndebourne Tour](/source/Glyndebourne_Tour), his debut with the company.<ref>[https://www.glyndebourne.com/persons/jack-swanson/ "Jack Swanson"], [Glyndebourne](/source/Glyndebourne_Festival_Opera). Retrieved December 22, 2025.</ref>

In January 2018, he first sang the title role of Leonard Bernstein's ''[Candide](/source/Candide_(operetta))'' in his debut with the [Los Angeles Opera](/source/Los_Angeles_Opera). [James Conlon](/source/James_Conlon) conducted, and [Erin Morley](/source/Erin_Morley) sang Cunegonde.<ref>Tiffany Wong, [https://dailytrojan.com/2018/01/29/la-operas-candide-hilarious-yet-heartfelt/ "LA Opera's ''Candide'' is hilarious, yet heartfelt"], ''[Daily Trojan](/source/Daily_Trojan)'', January 29, 2018. Retrieved December 25, 2025.</ref> Swanson has gone on to sing the role on stage for the [Atlanta Opera](/source/Atlanta_Opera), and in concert at [Opéra de Marseille](/source/Op%C3%A9ra_de_Marseille), the [Théâtre des Champs-Élysées](/source/Th%C3%A9%C3%A2tre_des_Champs-%C3%89lys%C3%A9es) in Paris, and the Lausitz Festival with the [Hamburg Symphony](/source/Hamburg_Symphony).<ref>[https://www.harrisonparrott.com/news/2022-08-24/jack-swanson-opens-the-season-in-bernstein "Jack Swanson Opens the Season in Bernstein (24 August 2022)"], Harrison Parrot. Retrieved December 24, 2025.</ref><ref>Mark Gresham (March 7, 2023), [https://www.earrelevant.net/2023/03/despite-a-capable-cast-the-atlanta-operas-candide-is-not-the-best-of-all-possible-versions/ "Despite a capable cast, The Atlanta Opera's ''Candide'' is not the best of all possible versions"], EarRelevant. Retrieved December 25, 2025.</ref>

In July of 2018 Swanson made his main-stage debut with the [Santa Fe Opera](/source/Santa_Fe_Opera) in the role of Lindoro in Rossini's ''[The Italian Girl in Algiers](/source/The_Italian_Girl_in_Algiers)''.<ref>[https://www.santafeopera.org/whats-on/the-italian-girl-in-algiers-2018/ "''The Italian Girl in Algiers'' 2018"], Santa Fe Opera. Retrieved December 24, 2025,</ref> Arya Roshanian, writing in the British magazine ''[Opera](/source/Opera_(British_magazine))'', noted "newcomer Jack Swanson sang Lindoro's unrelenting music with apparent ease and is surely a name to watch in this repertoire."<ref>Arya Roshanian, [https://reader.exacteditions.com/issues/66695/page/80 "Santa Fe"], ''[Opera](/source/Opera_(British_magazine))'', November 2018, p. 1406.</ref>

During the 2018–2019 season, Swanson made his house debut with the [Norwegian Opera](/source/Norwegian_Opera) as Nemorino in Donizetti's ''[L'elisir d'amore](/source/L'elisir_d'amore)'' (November–January), his [Latin American](/source/Latin_American) debut at [Theatro Municipal de São Paulo](/source/Theatro_Municipal_de_S%C3%A3o_Paulo) as Almaviva in ''Il barbiere di Siviglia'' (February), his role and house debut at [Palm Beach Opera](/source/Palm_Beach_Opera) as Alfred in Offenbach's ''[Die Fledermaus](/source/Die_Fledermaus)'' (March), his role and house debut at the [Cologne Opera](/source/Cologne_Opera) as Sam Kaplan in Kurt Weill's ''[Street Scene](/source/Street_Scene_(opera))'' (May), and his house debut with the [Portland Opera](/source/Portland_Opera) as Almaviva in ''Il barbiere di Siviglia'' (June).<ref name=SwansonRecent>[https://www.jackswansontenor.com/recent-engagements "Recent Engagements"], JackSwansonTenor.com. Retrieved December 26, 2025.</ref>

In July 2019 he performed Young Bastianello in [John Musto](/source/John_Musto)'s one-act comic opera ''Bastianello'' at the [Festival Napa Valley](/source/Festival_Napa_Valley).<ref name=SwansonRecent />

During the 2019–2020 season, he sang Rodrigo in Rossini's ''[Otello](/source/Otello_(Rossini))'' at the [Frankfurt Opera](/source/Frankfurt_Opera) (September–October), the tenor solos in Rossini's [Messa di Gloria](/source/Messa_di_Gloria_(Rossini)) at [La Seine Musicale](/source/La_Seine_Musicale) (November), as tenor soloist with the [American Symphony Orchestra](/source/American_Symphony_Orchestra) at [Alice Tully Hall](/source/Alice_Tully_Hall) in New York in a concert entitled "Sons of Bach" (December),{{efn|Swanson sang the tenor parts in [Wilhelm Friedemann Bach](/source/Wilhelm_Friedemann_Bach)'s cantata ''Erzittert und fallet'' and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach's [Magnificat](/source/Magnificat_(C._P._E._Bach)). The conductor was [Leon Botstein](/source/Leon_Botstein).<ref>[https://americansymphony.org/wp-content/uploads/Sons-of-Bach.pdf Program for December 19, 2019], American Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved December 28, 2025.</ref>
}} his role debut as Belmonte in Mozart's ''[The Abduction from the Seraglio](/source/The_Abduction_from_the_Seraglio)'' with [Opera Omaha](/source/Opera_Omaha) at the [Orpheum Theatre](/source/Orpheum_Theatre_(Omaha)) (February). Canceled due to the [Covid-19 pandemic](/source/Covid-19_pandemic) were engagements to sing the title role in the world premiere of [Paola Prestini](/source/Paola_Prestini)'s opera ''Edward Tulane'' at the [Minnesota Opera](/source/Minnesota_Opera) (March), Cody in Philidor's ''[The Blacksmith](/source/Le_mar%C3%A9chal_ferrant)'' with [Opera Lafayette](/source/Opera_Lafayette) (May), and Almaviva in ''Il barbiere di Siviglia'' at the Santa Fe Opera (summer 2020).<ref name=SwansonRecent />

The early part of the 2020–2021 season was largely cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was to have included a recital at the Frankfurt Opera (October 6) and engagements with the Norwegian Opera as Almaviva in ''Il barbiere di siviglia'' (November–January), [Houston Grand Opera](/source/Houston_Grand_Opera) as Don Ramiro in ''La Cenerentola'' (January–February), and the Minnesota Opera in the same role (March–April).<ref name=SwansonRecent /> Swanson did sing in a Houston Grand Opera digital recital on March 12 with pianist Richard Bado, which was part of the "Live from the Cullen" series and later made available for [streaming](/source/streaming_service) on Marquee TV.<ref name=SwansonRecent /><ref>Margaret Downing, [https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/tenor-jack-swanson-tackles-a-recital-in-4-languages-for-hgo-11542799/ "Tenor Jack Swanson Tackles a Recital in Four Languages for Houston Grand Opera"], ''[Houston Press](/source/Houston_Press)'', March 11, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2025.</ref> Further performances resumed in early April, when he sang as tenor soloist in Rossini's [Stabat Mater](/source/Stabat_Mater) with conductor [Myung-Whun Chung](/source/Myung-Whun_Chung) and the [Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia](/source/Accademia_Nazionale_di_Santa_Cecilia) in Rome. He then appeared with the [Cologne Opera](/source/Cologne_Opera) as Almaviva in ''Il barbiere di Siviglia'' (May) and with Garsington Opera in his debut in the title role of Rossini's ''[Le comte Ory](/source/Le_comte_Ory)'' (May–July) and as The Italian Singer in Richard Strauss's ''[Der Rosenkavalier](/source/Der_Rosenkavalier)'' (June–July).<ref name=SwansonRecent />

On August 10, 2021, he made his debut at the [Rossini Opera Festival](/source/Rossini_Opera_Festival) in Pesaro, Italy, as Florville in Rossini's one-act comic opera ''[Il signor Bruschino](/source/Il_signor_Bruschino)''.<ref name=SwansonRecent /> He also gave a recital with piano accompaniment at the festival on August 17 at the [Teatro Rossini](/source/Teatro_Rossini_(Pesaro)),<ref>[https://www.rossinioperafestival.it/contrib/uploads/BASE_2021-programma-SWANSON-31-luglio.pdf Program for ''Concerto di Belcanto'', Teatro Rossini, August 17, 2021], Rossini Opera Festival. Retrieved December 30, 2025.</ref> and sang in the festival's Rossini Gala on August 22.<ref name=SwansonRecent /><ref name=RossiniFestival_JackSwanson>[https://www.rossinioperafestival.it/en/artists/swanson-jack/ "Jack Swanson, Tenor"], Rossini Opera Festival. Retrieved December 30, 2025.</ref>{{efn|Swanson was a member of two ensembles who sang excerpts from Rossini's ''[Ermione](/source/Ermione)'' (Aria di Pirro, "Balena in man del figlio") and ''[Guillaume Tell](/source/William_Tell_(opera))'' (Act 4 finale). The gala was presented outdoors in the Piazza del Popolo in the center of the old city.<ref>[https://www.forumopera.com/spectacle/gala-rossini-pesaro-tout-est-bien-qui-ne-finit-pas-toujours-bien/ "Gala Rossini — Pesaro {{Bracket|August 22, 2021}}], ForumOpera.com. Retrieved December 30, 2025.</ref>}}

On December 4, 2021, he gave a recital as part of the [Beirut Chants](/source/Beirut_Chants) festival in Lebanon<ref name=SwansonRecent /><ref>[https://www.touficmaatouk.com/albums/gala-concert-with-jack-swanson-beirut-chants-festival/ "Gala Concert with Jack Swanson – Beirut Chants Festival"], [Toufic Maatouk](/source/Toufic_Maatouk), conductor website. Retrieved January 4, 2026.</ref> and in the latter part of December, made his role debut as Tamino in Mozart's ''[Die Zauberflöte](/source/Die_Zauberfl%C3%B6te)'' with [Opéra national de Lorraine](/source/Op%C3%A9ra_national_de_Lorraine). From January to March, 2022, he sang for the first time Ferrando in Mozart's ''[Così fan tutte](/source/Cos%C3%AC_fan_tutte)'' with the Frankfurt Opera, and in April and May, repeated the role with [Opéra national du Rhin](/source/Op%C3%A9ra_national_du_Rhin).<ref name=SwansonRecent /> That summer he sang Almaviva with the Santa Fe Opera.<ref name=SwansonRecent /><ref>[https://www.santafeopera.org/whats-on/the-barber-of-seville-2022/ "''The Barber of Seville'', 2022"], Santa Fe Opera website. Retrieved January 4, 2026.</ref>

In August 2024 he appeared as Almaviva at the Rossini Opera Festival in a production that was presented in the large [Vitrifrigo Arena](/source/Vitrifrigo_Arena). George Hall, writing in ''[Opera](/source/Opera_(British_magazine))'', noted his voice was a bit light for such a large venue.<ref>George Hall, [https://reader.exacteditions.com/issues/117863/page/118 Review of ''Il barbiere di Siviglia'', Rossini Opera Festival, 2024], ''[Opera](/source/Opera_(British_magazine))'', November 2024, p. 1540.</ref> Laura Servidei of ''[Bachtrack](/source/Bachtrack)'', while agreeing that Swanson's "light, high tenor ... at times seemed weak for the role", also noted that his performance of the often-cut final rondo, 'Cessa di più resistere', was "remarkable".<ref>Laura Servidei (August 11, 2024), [https://bachtrack.com/review-barbiere-siviglia-pizzi-filonczyk-kataeva-rossini-opera-festival-pesaro-august-2024 "Pier Luigi Pizzi's elegant, black and white ''Barbiere'' convinces once again in Pesaro"], ''[Bachtrack](/source/Bachtrack)''. Retrieved May 3, 2026.</ref>

He made his [Metropolitan Opera](/source/Metropolitan_Opera) debut on May 16, 2025, as Almaviva in Rossini's ''Il barbiere di Siviglia''.<ref>''Il Barbiere di Siviglia'', May 16, 2025, [https://archives.metopera.org/MetOperaSearch/search.jsp?titles=Il%20Barbiere%20di%20Siviglia&exact_date=20250516 CID: 387753], Met Opera DB.</ref> The performance of May 31 was telecast internationally as part of the [Metropolitan Opera Live in HD](/source/Metropolitan_Opera_Live_in_HD) series.<ref>''Il Barbiere di Siviglia'', May 31, 2025, [https://archives.metopera.org/MetOperaSearch/search.jsp?titles=Il%20Barbiere%20di%20Siviglia&exact_date=20250531 CID: 387768], Met Opera DB.</ref>

==Personal life==
Swanson is married to soprano Katherine Henly, whom he met at [LA Opera](/source/LA_Opera) during a production of ''Candide''. They have a son (born November 2024) and live in [Twin Cities](/source/Twin_Cities), Minnesota.<ref>Shivani Vora, [https://www.forbes.com/sites/shivanivora/2025/05/12/met-opera-husband-and-wife-stars-jack-swanson-and-katherine-henly-talk-travel-and-opera/ "Met Opera Husband-and-Wife Stars Jack Swanson and Katherine Henly Talk Travel and Opera"], ''[Forbes](/source/Forbes)'', May 12, 2025. Retrieved December 26, 2025.</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.jackswansontenor.com Official website]
* {{YouTube|h=Jackswansontenor}}
* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14941999/ Jack Swanson] at [IMDb](/source/IMDb)

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Swanson, Jack}}
Category:1992 births
Category:American operatic tenors
Category:Living people
Category:Classical musicians from Minnesota
Category:Singers from Minnesota
Category:University of Oklahoma alumni
Category:Rice University alumni
Category:21st-century American male opera singers

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jack Swanson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Swanson) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Swanson?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.