Geoffrey Peterson
Baritone
Geoffrey Peterson is a lyric baritone from Trumansburg, New York. He most recently completed the studio artist program at Opera Orlando where he made three Verdi debuts; “Baron Douphol” in La Traviata, “La Rocca” in Un Giorno di Regno, and “Marullo” in Rigoletto. He also had the privilege of creating the role “Augustus” in their world premiere production of The Secret River, by composer Stella Sung and librettist Mark Campbell. Recent credits include William Grant Still’s Highway 1, U.S.A.(Baitone Solo), Iphigine en Tauride (Orestes) at Opera Theater of St. Louis. In 2020, he created the roles of the “Pastor”/“Promotor”/“Walter White” in Houston Grand Opera’s world premier of Marian’s Song, and returned to the roles a year later for a filmed production.
An active teaching artist, Mr. Petereson has collaborated with Houston Grand Opera’s HGOco program, leading empathy training workshops at the Harris county juvenile detention center & performing “Story book Opera’s”. He has also been a featured performer with their acclaimed Opera to Go program. Credits include Strega Nona (Pavo), The Elixir of Love (Dulcamara), and Cinderella in Spain (Isabella/King). He was fundamental in creating one of their newest stories, “Lula, The Mighty Griot”, written by former Houston poet laureate Deborah “D.E.E.P” Mouton.
An advocate for social justice through music, he has also been a soloist and ensemble member with community ensembles, including the Houston Ebony Opera Guild, The Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers, and the Vitamin L Chorus. In 2021, he returned home to Trumansburg, NY to collaborate with the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts to curate a black history month concert that highlighted the works of african american composers, including Margaret Bonds, William Grant Still, Moses Hogan, Damien Sneed, Jaqueline B. Hairston, and H. Leslie Adams. Mr. Peterson currently serves as a board member, and artistic advisor for I Colori Dell’Opera, an opera company that works to provide performance opportunities, and training resources to people of color throughout the greater Houston area.