NEWS
HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING:
1/16/25
What will you do for an opera career?
Happy 2025! I’m sitting in my hotel in Nashville – Music City, Athens of the South, Nash-Vegas, with the heat on and wrapped in an old-man sweater because IT IS COLD! But despite the frigid temperatures, my heart is warm as I am deep into rehearsing a very funny, very well-sung “HMS Pinafore.” I’m making my role debut as Sir Joseph Porter, a role that is allowing me to exercise my comedic chops. This role has been a wonderful way to usher in a new year as I take stock of who I am as an artist.
But Eric, you’re thinking, don’t you sing mostly serious roles? Yes, yes I do. But as I speak to more and more singers who have had any longevity in this business, the ability to pivot and sing a variety of repertoire keeps them employed and growing as an artist. If you had told me, even two seasons ago, that I’d be doing both Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore a few months apart, I would’ve said, “I don’t think so my fine fellow, I don’t think so.” And yet, here I am living my G and S fantasy.
When I started out, I only wanted to sing Rossini, Verdi, and Puccini, and while I’ve been incredibly fortunate to sing several of those composers’ works, I’ve also had a chance to sing Mascagni, Strauss, Zandonai, and a bevy of new operas by American composers. I’ve sung the tortured lead, the comic relief, the supportive friend, and the evildoer; all of these roles have helped me be a better singing actor. I didn’t set out to be a singer that sings such a diverse repertoire, but I am really thrilled that I AM that bi… singer.
So, to answer my own question, “what will you do for an opera career?” I will continue to take on all kinds of roles from the traditional to the off-the-beaten path to the new and I will sit in huge gratitude that I’m able to bring all of myself to a profession that sometimes likes to put artists in a specific fach.
PRESS
Sir Joseph in Nashville Opera’s “HMS Pinafore”
Eric McKeever is a riot as the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter, boasting a seriously smooth baritone voice while also creating some of the opera’s most hilarious moments.
The Frenetic Peripatetic/January 2025
Dante in “Lucidity”
As Dante, the warm-voiced baritone Eric McKeever was a soft, gentle presence, whose love for his adoptive mother trumped his own frustrations.
New York Classical Review/November 2024/Rick Perdian
The sturdy baritone Eric McKeever conveyed Dante’s emotional arc, his voice warming as the character opens up.
Classical Voice North America/November 2024/Susan Brodie
Eric McKeever brought depth and humanity to his portrayal of Dante, balancing regret and love as he cared for his mother. His heart-wrenching duets with Shelton illustrated the emotional intricacies of their relationship.
TheFrontRowCenter.com/November 2024/Edward Kliszus
Soloist in the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s Mozart “Requiem”
McKeever excelled at lyrical upper-register passages, especially in the “Recordare” quartet.
Towntopics.com/November 2023/Nancy Plum
In Concert at the Festival Casals de Puerto Rico
En la segunda aria-canción, “A Woman Is A Sometime Thing” se destacó el barítono afroamericano Eric McKeever, con su grácil presencia escénica y dominio del fraseo en el estilo del blues y el jazz auténtico… Los números subsiguientes… fueron seguidas por una interpretación magistral del cantante-actor Eric McKeever del conocido hit “I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin.”
(In the second aria-song, “A Woman Is A Sometime Thing” African-American baritone Eric McKeever stood out, with his graceful stage presence and mastery of phrasing in the style of blues and authentic jazz… The subsequent numbers… were followed by a masterful interpretation of the singer-actor Eric McKeever of the well-known hit “I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'.)
Elnuevodia.com/June 2023/Luis Enrique Julia
Michele in On Site Opera’s “Il tabarro”
All the principals were excellent. McKeever had a sense of dignity in his singing that made Michele sympathetic. Michele’s “Nulla! Silenzio!”, so direct as to make more than just lovely singing of vocal phrases, but the kind of monologue that hits directly in the mind and heart.
New York Classical Review/May 2023/George Grella
The third member of the love triangle, Giorgetta’s husband Michele, performed by Eric McKeever, showcased the baritone’s ability to project through music the essence of human passion and intense emotions that drove the opera’s tragic events. McKeever’s magnificent voice resonated with melancholy and resignation, capturing the weight of Michele’s past and acceptance of life’s sometimes harsh realities. In “Nulla! Silenzio!” McKeever trembled with grief and rage as he poured out Michele’s heart-wrenching emotions.
TheFrontRowCenter.com/May 2023/Ed Kliszus
Baritone Eric McKeever’s booming voice is utterly convincing as he glowers and rages like an angry sea god.
Blogcritics.org/May 2023/Jon Sobel
This is one opera with no villains, but Eric McKeever as the betrayed husband had music which could fit Scarpia–and his torment from first scene of doubt to final denouement was played with a dark threatening baritone.
ConcertoNet.com/May 2023/Harry Rolnick
Baritone Eric McKeever was outstanding as the captain of the barge, projecting a sense of kindliness both toward the stevedores in his employ and toward his wife, with whom he once shared tender loving moments. He succeeded in arousing our sympathy.
Voce di Meche/May 2023/Meche Kroop
Charlie in HERE Arts Center’s “Looking at You”
As Rix employee, Charlie, Eric McKeever offered a muscular baritone and showed off superb patter chops.
New York Classical Review/September 2019/Eric C. Simpson
Eric McKeever is a baritone with a beautiful sound… he is definitely a singing actor worth hearing again.”
BassoBuff.com/September 2019/Christine Chass
David in Baltimore Concert Opera’s “L’amico Fritz”
Let’s talk about David, the local rabbi, who is sung by baritone Eric McKeever. McKeever is just magnificent in this role, adapting himself to the comedic challenges while bursting with the energy of a man with a plan. His is a stand-out performance among performers who are all top-notch. His rich baritone doesn’t have that sort of sharp quality you sometimes find in the lower registers.
DC Metro Theatre Arts/November 2018/Darby DeJarnette
Germont in Pacific Opera Project’s “La Traviata”
When Eric McKeever joined his colleagues in Act II, patrons moved to the front of their seats. His strong, steel-girded voice was most impressive but never acidic. His patronizing behavior toward Violetta moderated as soon as he realized that she was a woman of more substance than he expected. Later, in the final act, his attitude changed completely when he comprehended that she would never live to change anything. I'm sure we will hear a great deal more from McKeever.
Broadway World/October 2018/Maria Nockin
Sharpless in Opera Columbus’ Madama Butterfly
Also, impressive… baritone Eric McKeever, commanding as the consul Sharpless.
The Columbus Dispatch/October 2018/Peter Tonguette
The Speaker in Florentine Opera’s “The Magic Flute”
Baritone Eric McKeever gave a strong supporting performance.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/May 2018/Elaine Schmidt
Malatesta in Anchorage Opera’s “Don Pasquale”
The scheming Doctor Malatesta is played with barely-suppressed laughter by baritone Eric McKeever, whose portrayal is quick and witty, oozing charm in every scene. Both men's deep, strong voices are a joy to listen to.
Anchorage Press/November 2017/Rob LeFebvre
Baritone roles in Experiments in Opera’s “Flash Operas”
In “Mandela Was Late”, Eric McKeever channeled a powerful and compelling gravitas in the face of inane inhumane racism and petty bureaucracy.
Theatretimes.com/May 2017/Amanda Boekelheide
McKeever was a stately and refined Mandela with a rich warmth and lyricism in his voice.
Icareifyoulisten.com/June 2017/Lauren Alfano