Andrew Wilkowske- when singing a “virile, sturdy Marcello” or a “garrulous yet endearing” Papageno- displays an engaging combination of musical talent and masterful stage presence. Wilkowske, whose voice has been described as “nimble,” with an “impressively open top,” is one of the most versatile performers on the stage today. A gifted actor as well as singer, Wilkowske’s Papageno in The Magic Flute “stole the show” according to the Washington Post, and was a “lusty-voiced fellow,” according to Opera News.
Engagements this season include Carl Linden in Bitter Sweet with Skylark Opera, Lt. Bumerli in The Chocolate Soldier with Bard Summerscape, Kaiser Overall in Der Kaiser von Atlantis with Boston Lyric Opera, and Carmina Burana with the Minnesota Orchestra, under the baton of Osmo Vänksä.
Widely known for his expertise in modern repertoire, Wilkowske recently reprised the role of Noah in The Grapes of Wrath with the Collegiate Chorale at Carnegie Hall. As a member of the Minnesota Opera world premiere cast in 2007 he was featured on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” radio show and the complete recording of the opera available on P.S. Classics. In addition, he recently covered the role of Casanova in Minnesota Opera’s 25th Anniversary production of Dominick Argento’s Casanova’s Homecoming, sang the role of Geppetto in Jonathan Dove’s The Adventures of Pinocchio, and Henry Kissinger in Nixon in China with Minnesota Opera; and sang in performances of the North American premiere of Howard Shore’s The Fly at Los Angeles Opera, conducted by Placido Domingo.
Other recent engagements include his debut as Rossini’s Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Skylight Opera. He returned to Skylight Opera in the title role of Le Nozze di Figaro. Other Figaro appearances include Le Nozze with Green Mountain Opera Festival (under the baton of Jacques Lacombe), Ashlawn Opera, and the Acadiana Symphony. Wilkowske’s experiences are documented in his award-winning “A Year of Figaro” blog.
Active on the musical theatre stage, Wilkowske’s performance in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris was called “chilling” and “deeply moving” by the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and his performance in the world premiere of Sleeping Beauty with the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati earned him a nomination for a Cincinnati Entertainment Award.
Wilkowske has participated in the Merola Opera Program, Glimmerglass Opera’s Young American Artist Program and the Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Program. He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and the University of Minnesota Duluth.