Through critically acclaimed, colorful and thoughtful presentation Zeffin Quinn Hollis exposes the heart of human stories that reflect life in the mirror of opera. His distinctive performances continue to develop his versatility as both a striking force on stage and a superior musician.  Equally at home with contemporary and traditional repertoire, he has brought humanity and complexity to an array of characters.  Sophisticated performances of notably wicked personalities have proven Mr. Hollis’ ability to capture the intricacies of life’s darkest corners. He breathed life into roles such as the Four Villains in Les Contes d’Hoffman, conducted by Julius Rudel, Eddie Carbon in William Bolcom’s rendition of View from the Bridge, Méphistophélès in Faust, Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street and the cunning and suave Nick Shadow in Stravinsky’s masterpiece The Rake’s Progress While chillingly comfortable in the skin of even the dastardliest scoundrel, the baritone’s empathetic portrayals as compassionate leading men have also brought him acclaim.  He has played the jovial Figaro in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Escamillo (Carmen), Marcello in La Bohème and Giorgio Germont in La Traviata.
 

Last season’s highlights include the New York premier of Tobias Picker’s Thérèse Raquin singing the role of Laurent at Dicapo Opera Theatre. In addition to that, Mr. Hollis added to his repertoire the title character in Don Giovanni as well as Tomas in The Theory of Everything for Encompass New Opera Theater. Mr. Hollis performed this innovative role at the New York City Opera’s VOX: On The Edge new works festival. This season Mr. Hollis will first be seen at Dallas Opera, revisiting his impassioned portrayal of Scarpia in Puccini’s Tosca, alternating in the role with world renowned Baritone, Mr. James Morris. His next venture will be returning to Dicapo Opera Theatre to debut another Puccini Baritone; Jack Rance in La Fanciulla del West. He will round out his season with a number of concert engagements most notably as the Bass soloist in Handel’s Messiah for Hood College’s 60th Anniversary Annual Performance.   
 

As Mr. Hollis’ career has taken dramatic shape, his poignant musical work has spanned coast-to-coast; he has appeared at many of the country’s most significant opera houses including the Santa Fe Opera, Opera Pacific, Opera Theatre of Pittsburg, El Paso Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Opera Delaware, Opera Providence, Toledo Opera, New Orleans Opera Association, Wichita Grand Opera and the Fresno Grand Opera.  As a young artist, he was a member of the Santa Fe Opera’s Apprentice Artist Program for Singers during the 1999 and 2000 seasons.  He was also acknowledged by the Metropolitan Opera National Council as a Western Regional Finalist in 2000 and a Midwest Regional Finalist in 2002.  Excelling in competition, he was a Grand Finals Winner in the 2004 Loren L. Zachary Competition and also received the distinguished European Audition Tour Award.
 

Besides his work on the stage, Mr. Hollis has had the pleasure of many orchestral appearances.  He has performed as a soloist with the Brooklyn Philharmonic; Lincoln Center’s Little Orchestra Society of New York; Westfield Symphony; Palm Beach Opera Orchestra; Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra; Owensboro Symphony; Bear Valley Music Festival Orchestra and Rome’s International Chamber Orchestra.  These concerts have involved performances of Handel’s Messiah, Stravinsky’s Histoire de Soldat and Opera and Pops Galas.  Zeffin is also a noted recitalist, working extensively throughout the United States with Santa Fe Opera and also giving recitals as part of the Premier Performances Artists’ Series and Community Concerts. 

2006 September