An “alert and highly musical baritone” (Opera News), Nathaniel Sullivan infuses his work with “impressive strength and precision” (Schmopera), as well as “great eloquence” and “allegiance to both music and words” (ConcertoNet). With a particular devotion to the operatic repertoire of the 21st Century, Nathaniel has performed the roles of the King in George Benjamin’s Lessons in Love and Violence (Tanglewood Music Center, London Philharmonic Orchestra), the Reporter in the English-language premiere of Ma Hanrui’s Mi 谜 (Jazz at Lincoln Center), Harvey Milk in the world premiere of Stewart Wallace’s Harvey Milk Reimagined (Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Opera Parallèle, covered), and Manfred Lewin in Jake Heggie’s Two Remain (Out of Darkness) (Quad City Symphony Orchestra). He also performed the role of Jokanaan in Heartbeat Opera’s acclaimed production of Salome, for which Nathaniel was regarded as “somber and appropriately a bit deranged” (New York Times), “mellifluous” (Classical Voice North America), and “a magnificent actor” (Bachtrack).
In addition to music theatre, Nathaniel also engages in many oratorio and concert performances around the USA. Orchestral highlights include the bass soloist and Jesus in J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion with Abendmusik, the premieres of Terre Johnson’s Te Deum and Marc-André Bougie’s Stabat Mater with the New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, the bass soloist in Handel’s Messiah with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Frank Martin’s Sechs Monologe aus Jedermann with The Orchestra Now, and HK Gruber’s Frankenstein!! with Maestro James Bagwell.
Nathaniel also takes great interest in the art song and chamber music repertoires, with a particular focus on recently composed works. Notable chamber music premieres include Matthew Greenbaum’s Crossing Brooklyn Ferry with the acclaimed Momenta Quartet, two works by Joshua Groffman and Lawrence Kramer with the Contemporaneous ensemble at Carnegie Hall, and Songs of the Earth with members of the Albany Symphony. As an avid recitalist, Nathaniel has appeared with presenters across the Americas, including with the Yellow Barn Summer Festival (Vermont), the Brooklyn Art Song Society (New York), Chamber Music Quad Cities (Iowa), the Riverview Chamber Series (New York), Downtown Music at Grace (White Plains), and Piano Lunaire (Toronto).
Nathaniel was one of seven winners of the 2023 Astral Artists National Competition. Additional awards and recognitions include the Grace B. Jackson Prize for exceptional service at the Tanglewood Music Center (2019); Third Place in the Washington International Competition (2023), the Lyndon Woodside Oratorio Solo Competition (2019), and the Orpheus Vocal Competition (2019); and First Place in the NATS National Musical Theatre Auditions (2018). During the COVID-19 shutdown, Nathaniel conceived and self-produced the Pandemigram Project, raising over $7,500 for 43 different charitable organizations.
Connect with Nathaniel at nathanielsullivan.com.