Rising tenor Robert Stahley, described as “A prodigiously talented performer” (ReviewSTL), continues to thrill audiences with “his impassioned, soaring tenor” (Broadway World) and by breathing life to roles on stage, where “he tirelessly exudes gravitas and individuality” (Parterre). In the 2024/25 season he made his Metropolitan Opera debut as First Armored Man in Julie Taymor's celebrated production of The Magic Flute and covered roles in Aida, Salome, and Die Frau ohne Schatten with the company, He reprised the role of Canio in Pagliacci with Opera Santa Barbara following a critically acclaimed run as Canio with the 2024 Glimmerglass Festival, and he will cover the role of Siegmund in Die Walküre with The Santa Fe Opera. Last season Stahley also was seen as Siegmund in Journey to Valhalla with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Dick Johnson in La Fanciulla del West with North Carolina Opera, and The Tenor Soloist in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Colorado Symphony led by Marin Alsop. Upcoming engagements include Erik in The Flying Dutchman with Odyssey Opera, the Tenor Soloist in Verdi’s Requiem with the Oakland Symphony, and reprising the role of Sam in Susannah with Opera Omaha.
Other career highlights include Erik in The Flying Dutchman with Utah Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago (cover), Melot and A Young Sailor in Tristan und Isolde with the LA Philharmonic led by Gustavo Dudamel, Froh in Das Rheingold with Dallas Opera, Siegmund in the Vick/Dove arrangement of Wagner’s Die Walküre with Opera Santa Barbara, Cavaradossi in Tosca with Opera Theatre St. Louis, Max in Der Freischütz as well as Sam in Susannah with Wolf Trap Opera, Juno in Handel’s Semele at Opera Santa Barbara, Narraboth in Strauss’ Salome with Bard Opera Theater, The Captain in the world premiere of John Corigliano’s The Lord of Cries, a featured soloist in concert with Grammy Award-winning Soprano Angel Blue, the title role in The Tales of Hoffmann with Arbor Opera Theater, tenor soloist in Verdi’s Messa Da Requiem with the Quad-City Symphony, tenor soloist in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Lynn Philharmonia and Dayton Philharmonic, William Marshall in Regina with Opera Theater of St. Louis, Lenny in scenes from Of Mice and Men and Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos with the St. Louis Symphony, and Pang in Turandot with the Kentucky Symphony.
Mr. Stahley graduated the LA Opera Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program in May 2022, where he performed several prominent roles, including Walther von der Vogelweide in Wagner’s Tannhäuser, Le Berger in Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex, Valcour in Joseph Bologne’s L’Amant Anonyme, First Armored Man in Barrie Kosky’s famed production of Die Zauberflöte, and Parpignol in the North American premiere of Barrie Kosky’s La bohème.
Mr. Stahley won second place in the 2024 Pasadena Competition, first prize in the 2019 Wagner Society of New York Competition, third prize in the 2018 Gerda Lissner Vocal Competition, and first prize in the 2017 Piccolo Vocal Competition. He completed his Artist Diploma and Masters at the College Conservatory of Music.
