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"One of the Brightest Stars in the Tenor-Heavens” |
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 "A star is born!" Such were the acclamations which greeted Keith Ikaia-Purdy's 1991 Hamburg Opera debut as WERTHER; the Berliner Morgenpost wrote further: "Seldom does a young tenor debut with such extravagant vocal riches." Five years later, in reviewing The Hamburg Opera Festival, Die Welt declared Ikaia-Purdy "one of the brightest stars in the tenor-heavens" - no small complement given that the same review addressed the contributions of his TOSCA colleagues Eva Marton and Sherill Milnes, as well as the performances of tenors Neil Shicoff (as José), Franciso Araiza (as Don Carlo) and Plácido Domingo (in recital and as conductor.)
Now - evidenced by fifteen seasons of critically acclaimed performances upon the world's leading stages, in a range of repertoire of remarkable breadth - one is inevitably led to conclude that the "extravagant riches" once praised by the Berliner Morgenpost, are under-girded by exceptional technical acumen.
But above all else, Ikaia-Purdy's esteemed status is founded upon his marvelous tenor voice - described by the press as "opulently ringing," "of velvet-timbre" and "crowned by a thrilling, effortlessly produced upper range" - to which native gifts he brings a singular musicality - marked by impeccable taste and elegance of line- as well as an artist's sense of musical style: artistry seasoned and enriched by hundreds of performances alongside the world's finest musicians, conductors and colleagues.
Since the dawn of the new century, Ikaia-Purdy's career milestones have included:
- An internationally telecast LA BOHÈME under Philippe Jourdan, with the company of the German State Opera, Berlin on Christmas Day 2001 (ARTE);
- A February 2000 Metropolitan Opera debut as HOFFMANN - the New York Times praising the tenor's "youthful energy, arching phrasing and intelligence" and expressing gratitude for his "lyrical ardor, vocal agility and attractive sound";
- A September 2001 La Scala debut as Gaston in Verdi's JÉRUSALEM under Zubin Mehta - to quote La Repubblica : "the three principals (Furlanetto, Mescheriakova,) and the brazen tenor of Keith Ikaia-Purdy were outstanding;"
- A May 2002 invitation from Plácido Domingo for CARMEN with the Washington National Opera opposite Jennifer Larmore;
- A main stage Debut Recital, as well as performances of TOSCA with the Opera of Toulouse - Tout Toulouse wrote of the "triumph of the young American tenor," while La Croix du Midi named him "the real discovery... whose ample and generous voice - homogenous throughout the range, sparkling in its upper third - assure the young artist a fine future;"
- A summer 2002 debut in CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA at the Glimmerglass Festival - Andante Magazine finding his performance "among the best of the 2002 season."
- A triumphant October 2003 return to the Athens Megaron for I VESPRI SICILIANI alongside Chernov, Neves/Coelho and Burchaladze - Das Opernglas singling him out for exceptional praise: "The Hawaiian tenor sang the difficult role (of Arrigo) with fine legato and adroit piano culture, while possessing all of the requisite security-on-high as well as vocal carrying power. His supple phrasing distinguished him most agreeably ... ;"
- The Christmas 2004 international telecast and DVD release of "Christmas in Vienna" with colleagues I. Raimondi, Eröd and the Vienna Boys Choir (ORF); and
- A summer 2005 Festival "hat trick:" BUTTERFLY with the Schleswig-Holstein Festival; a "MET Stars" Opera Gala with the Rheingau Music Festival; and, an internationally broadcast Ravenna Festival performance of highlights from MEFISTOFELE under Riccardo Muti, with the Orchestra and Chorus of Florence's Maggio Musicale.
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