Jacob Cooper, Baritone

 Colorado native Jacob Cooper’s ebullient stage presence has been recognized on the opera stage (“stunning” – The Boston Globe), in recital, and as a dynamic component of ensembles. He is a member of many of New England’s premiere period ensembles, including solo turns with the Handel and Haydn Society, Emmanuel Music, Arcadia Players, and with Boston Baroque as Curio in Handel’s Giulio Cesare. In addition to his focus on early music, he has premiered works by a diverse range of composers, including the role of Eugene in Oliver Caplan’s chamber opera The Cellist is Dead and song cycles written for him by Stephen Coxe and Frank Pesci. He has also recorded extensively with new music studio ensembles Philovox and Vox Futura. Other recent solo appearances have included Chorus Pro Musica, the Blue Hill Bach Festival, Psaltikon, Colla Parte sackbut ensemble, Juventas New Music Ensemble, the Weckmann Project, Monadnock Chorus, the Heritage Chorale, and the Falmouth Chorale. He performs with a range of ensembles, including Odyssey Opera, Boston Modern Opera Project, and the Marsh Chapel Choir, among others.

A commitment to the drama of sung text has been noted in his “impeccable diction” (Classical Voice of New England) for his recital at the Frederick Collection with Australian pianist Simon Tedeschi and in showcasing “the best piece of Shakespearean acting I’ve seen all year” (HubReview) for his portrayal of Ford (Falstaff) with Boston Opera Collaborative. Additional opera roles have ranged from Saul in Charpentier’s David et Jonathas, Leporello (Don Giovanni), Belcore (L’Elisir d’Amore), to John Brooke (Little Women), and the title role of Lord Collins in the premier of OperaHub’s witty adaptation of Marschner’s Der Vampyr. An active church musician, he currently sings at Church of the Advent in Boston.