Biography
Born in Brazil, Michel de Souza won the Maria Callas Vocal Competition in São Paulo and the Margaret Dick and Ye Cronies Competition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he attended the Alexander Gibson Opera School, gaining a master’s degree in opera with distinction. He went on to join the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera Covent Garden, which led to many appearances with the company and the beginning of his international career in principal theatres, both in Europe and South America. He also appears regularly in concert, including with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at the Proms,BBC National Orchestra of Wales, London Philharmonic, L’Orchestre National de Lyon and the Orchestra of Scottish Opera as well as giving recitals of Lieder, Chanson and Brazilian song.
The versatility of de Souza as singer and actor is remarkable. His electrifying entry aria, ‘Largo al factotum della città’ (‘I am the factotum of the city’), showed how capable he is of playing a wide range of roles. Many will remember him as the domineering, interfering Giorgio Germont for Nevill Holt’s 2019 La traviata. As Figaro he shows his many-sided versatility in abundance, as well as his significant virtuoso skills.
Seen and Heard International – Clive Peacock – 24th June 2022
Michel de Souza was a poised and self-possessed Figaro, one who was always in control and delighted in it. De Souza’s approach to his famous aria was vividly done, without making too much of the buffo element (easy enough to do given the lively staging), and throughout there was a sense of the character anchoring the action, guiding it and always there was a lively gleam in De Souza’s eye. A strong performance that made its presence felt not only in the aria, but as a lively partner in the recitatives and ensembles.
Planet Hugill – 26th June 2022
The three principals, all alumni of the Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Young Artists Programme, were estimable, with Michel de Souza as Germont Père outstanding both in timbre and conviction. This is always an ambivalent role, emotionally stifled yet ultimately humane, but de Souza had its measure; indeed, he surmounted the near-doggerel of “Di Provenza” with such sincerity that doubts about its value seemed fatuous.
Opera – Mark Valencia, November 2021
Best of all was Michel de Souza’s Germont, his character revealed as a blend of harshness and sympathy, expertly realised from a vocal point of view.
Opera Now – George Hall, October 2021
Roles:
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS: Harlequin
Rostov on Don Theatre
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS: Music Master
Rostov on Don Theatre
IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA: Figaro
Theatro Municipal de São Paulo
Nevill Holt Opera
LA BOHEME: Schaunard
Royal Opera Covent Garden
Grand Théâtre de Genève
LA BOHEME: Marcello
English Touring Opera
Theatro Municipal de São Paulo
CAPRICCIO: Servant
Royal Opera Covent Garden
CARMEN: Escamillo
Scottish Opera
CARMEN: Morales
Royal Opera Covent Garden
COSI FAN TUTTE: Guglielmo
Teatro Argentino de la Plata
Theatro Municipal de São Paulo
CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN: Forester
Scottish Opera
DIALOGUES DES CARMELITES: 2nd Commissary
Royal Opera Covent Garden
DON CARLO: Flemish Deputy
Royal Opera Covent Garden
EUGENE ONEGIN: Captain
Royal Opera Covent Garden
Grand Théâtre de Genève
L’ELISIR D’AMORE: Belcore
Theatro São Pedro
EN VERTU DE: The Politican
Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg
LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST: Sonora
Grange Park Opera
DIE FRAU OHNE SCHATTEN: Nightwatchman
Royal Opera Covent Garden
EL GATO CON BOTAS: King
Royal Opera Covent Garden (Linbury Studio)
GLORIANA: Gloriana ~ City Crier
Royal Opera Covent Garden
THE GODS OF THE GAME: Viko
Grange Park Opera
LA GRANDE DUCHESSE DE GEROLSTEIN: Baron Grog
Grand Théâtre de Genève
IL GUARANY: Gonzales
Grande Teatro do Palácio das Artes de Belo Horizonte
GUILLAUME TELL: Leuthold
Grand Théâtre de Genève
IPHIGENIE EN TAURIDE: Un Scythe
Grand Théâtre de Genève
INTERMEZZO: Der Notar
Scottish Opera
INTELLIGENCE PARK: Robert Paradies
Music Theatre Wales
DER KAISER VON ATLANTIS: Emperor Overall (der Kaiser)
Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg
MADAMA BUTTERFLY: Sharpless
Theatro Municipal de São Paulo Brazil
THE MAKROPULOS CASE: Baron Jaroslav Prus
Teatro Municipal de São Paulo Brazil
IL MATRIMONIO SEGRETO: Il Conte Robinson
Theatro São Pedro
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM: Starveling
Grand Théâtre de Genève
MY FAIR LADY: Professor Higgins
Theatro Guaira in Curitiba
PORGY AND BESS: Crown
Grande Teatro do Palácio das Artes de Belo Horizonte
THE RAKE’S PROGRESS: Nick Shadow
Teatro Municipal de São Paulo
EL RETABLO DE MAESE PEDRO: Don Quijote
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
RIGOLETTO: Marullo
Scottish Opera
Grand Théâtre de Genève
SALOME: 1st Soldier and 1st Nazarene
Orchestre National de Lyon
SAMSON ET DALILA: Grand Prêtre de Dagon
Grange Park Opera
Chelsea Opera Group
Albustan Festival Lebanon
SUKANYA: Aswini Twin (Ravi Shankar)
ROH Covent Garden/London Philharmonic Orchestra
IL SIGNOR BRUSCHINO: Gaudenzio
British Youth Opera
THAÏS: Athanaël
Chelsea Opera Group
TOSCA: Angelotti
Royal Opera Covent Garden
LA TRAVIATA: Giorgio Germont
Nevill Holt Opera
LA TRAVIATA: Baron Douphol
Royal Opera Covent Garden
TURANDOT: Mandarin
Royal Opera Covent Garden
TURANDOT: Ping
Royal Opera Covent Garden
DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE: Papageno
Theatro Municipal de São Paulo
In Concert
Beethoven SYMPHONY 9 ~ Orchestre National de Lyon, Auditorium Orchestre National de Lyon & Festival Berlioz;
Beethoven MISSA SOLEMNIS ~ Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro; Theatro Municipal de São Paulo
Berlioz: SCENE HEROIQUE ~ Orchestre National de Lyon, Festival Berlioz
Bernstein : MASS ~ Theatro Municipal in São Paulo
Händel: MESSIAH ~ Usher Hall Edinburgh; Theatro Municipal de São Paulo
Orff: CARMINA BURANA ~ National Theatre of Brasilia
Stravinsky: PULCINELLA - Hoddinott Hall BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Walton: BELSHAZZAR’S FEAST ~ Glasgow Concert Hall
Vaughan Williams: SERENADE TO MUSIC ~ Proms BBC Scottish National Orchestra
Verdi: MESSA DA REQUIEM ~ Glasgow Concert Hall ; Usher Hall Edinburg; Sage Gateshead.
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