Dr. Chris A. Thompson

Biography

Chris is a lyric baritone, a devoted teacher of successful singers and teachers throughout the country, and often serves as an adjudicator/master clinician at regional, national, and international festivals and competitions. He presently serves as Professor of Music (Voice) at Missouri State University and is musical director of MSU Opera.

Details

Education

• DMA, University of Kansas, Voice Performance
• Performance Certificate, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Voice Performance
• MM, Loyola University, Voice Performance
• BME, Kansas State University, Music Education

Teaching

• MUS 153 Voice
• MUS 253 Voice
• MUS 353 Voice
• MUS 453 Voice
• MUS 498 Senior Recital
• MUS 524 Song and Opera Literature
• MUS 624 Song and Opera Literature
• MUS 753 Voice

Professional experience

Described as a “supremely nuanced” (Gramophone), “remarkable baritone” (Opera News), Chris Thompson is an artist noted for compelling performances on stage and in the concert hall. He has performed leading lyric baritone roles ranging from Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia to the title role in Elijah to Carl Magnus in A Little Night Music. A frequent recitalist, Chris’s numerous performances and subsequent recording of Schubert’s Winterreise with acclaimed concert pianist Steven Spooner have generated excitement throughout the country.

A strong advocate of new music, Chris made his Carnegie Hall debut singing Posh, a song cycle by composer Mohammed Fairouz. Chris has appeared in several world premieres including: Michael Murray’s song cycle Neutral Tones (Parma New Music Festival), Guest from the Future (Lincoln Center), The Scrimshaw Violin (92nd Street Y), Box and Cox (University of Utah) and Hester Prynne at Death (Mercantile Library, NYC). In addition, Chris made his Off-Broadway debut in Fermat’s Last Tango. His performances have been featured on recording labels such as: Naxos, Original Cast Recordings, Albany Records, Koch-Schwann, Novana Records, and A Life of Music Records.

Chris has sung over 75 roles in opera, operetta, and musical theatre. He has served as conductor and musical director on many occasions ranging from The Man of La Mancha with Lyric Opera San Diego to The Wizard of Oz where he worked with two fabulous witches: Ellen Travolta, as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Margaret Travolta, as Glinda, the Good Witch. They both happen to have a brother named John, and he loved the show!

Awards and honors