"Elina Garanca and friends" Meet the guest soloists. SeokJong Baek

SeokJong Baek Tenor Following SeokJong Baek’s sensational Royal Opera House debut, performing as Samson alongside Elīna Garanča in Saint-Saëns Samson et Dalila, SeokJong Baek is fast establishing himself on the international opera scene, winning praise for his arresting liricio-spinto instrument and refined technical accomplishment. His critically-acclaimed portrayal of Samson was not only a house and role debut, but also his professional debut as a tenor, having transitioned from baritone over the coronavirus lockdown period. As a baritone, he was an Adler Fellow and a member of the Merola Programme at the San Francisco Opera, as well as a former resident artist of the Lyric Opera of Kansas and an alumnus of the Manhattan School of Music.

Recent highlights include a series of role debuts as Turiddu Cavalleria Rusticana at the Royal Opera House, conducted by Antonio Pappano, and Radamès Aida in concert with the Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria, conducted by Karel Mark Chichon and alongside Elīna Garanča.

This season will include a series of major house and role debuts across Europe and the US, along with his return to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden as Radamès Aida. Next season, Baek looks forward to making his much-anticipated Metropolitan Opera debut in New York as Ismaele Nabucco, returning later in the season as Calaf Turandot.

Mr. Baek attended the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto’s Vocal training program, and holds both a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from Manhattan School of Music.