E. Carl Freeman Concert Series at River Road Church

Broadway, Spirituals, & More!
Voice Recital—John Tibbetts, Baritone
Raymond Chenault, Collaborative Pianist
Sunday, May 1, 2022
2:30 p.m., Sanctuary

Masks recommended.

Free parking across River Road and behind the church.

Free Tickets

John Tibbetts

John Tibbetts, an artist “worthy of mention” (OPERA Magazine) is known for his mature voice and sensitivity in the arena of concert and opera. He began his musical career as Baritone Soloist and staff singer in the All Saints’ Church Choir in Atlanta, GA. Tibbetts received his Bachelors Degree in Music and Vocal Performance at Georgia State University, studying with Tenor, Richard Clement. He earned his Master’s Degree in Music and Vocal Performance at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music studying with Baritone William McGraw.

Tibbetts recently co-founded the new Amelia Island Opera Company in Fernandina Beach, Florida, where he serves as Artistic Director. Along with local residents, he created a concert series for the community and is looking forward to staging Mozart’s Così fan tutte next year.

Tibbetts was praised in Palm Beach Opera’s 2019 production of The Barber of Seville for his “reverberating tones” as Fiorello (The Palm Beach Post) and gave “an adept, well-characterized performance” (South Florida Classical Review). Currently, Tibbetts is under management with Athlone Artists and is set to appear in a world premiere with Toronto-based company Opera Atelier this September. He will debut with Gulfshore Opera in a series of concerts this November and December.

In fall of 2019 Tibbetts joined Cleveland Opera Theater as Schaunard in Puccini’s La Boheme. With Sarasota Opera and Palm Beach Opera as apprentice artist, he appeared as Marullo in Rigoletto, Figaro in a children’s performance of Il barbiere di Siviglia, and covered the roles Ping in Turandot, the title role in Eugene Onegin and Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

In the summer of 2019 Tibbetts was an Encrantz Fellow with Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, and collaborated with Songfest in Los Angeles as a Stern Fellow. Tibbetts also sang in a staged production of Bizet’s Carmen with the Richmond Symphony.

Tibbetts made his Atlanta Symphony Orchestra debut singing the songs of Aaron Copland in March 2018. He was a former Herndon Foundation Emerging with the Virginia Opera, and appears in Bridge Records’ CD produced by Opera Saratoga in Marc Blitzstein’s historic musical, The Cradle Will Rock. Tibbetts has performed at the Merkin Center in NYC, and made his professional debut with Kentucky Opera singing Fiorello in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia. He currently studies with Bass, Kevin Langan. You can find more info at operajohn.co.

Tibbetts and Raymond Chenault have performed numerous recitals together in recent years. He was inspired to pursue a career in music after singing in the All Saints’ Church Choir under the direction of Ray & Beth Chenault.