

Kevin Deas has gained international renown as one of America’s leading bass-baritones. He is perhaps most acclaimed for his signature portrayal of the title role in Porgy and Bess, having performed it with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, as well as the most illustrious orchestras on the North American continent, and at the Ravinia, Vail and Saratoga festivals.
Kevin Deas’ 2021-22 season includes performances of Mozart’s Requiem with the Florida Orchestra, Handel’s Messiah with the National Cathedral, Boston Baroque, and the New York Philharmonic. Other performances in the season include Nathaniel Dett’s The Ordering of Moses with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and the Phoenix Symphony, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, and will be performing the role of Porgy in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess with the Des Moines Metro Opera, as well as the role of Dick Hallorann in Paul Moravec’s critically acclaimed opera The Shining with the Opera Colorado.
Kevin Deas past season highlights includes performances of Mozart’s Requiem with the Eugene Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, Orchestra Iowa, and National Philharmonic & Chorale, Stravinsky’s Pulcinella with the Florida Orchestra, Handel’s Messiah with the National Cathedral, Saint-Saens’ Henry VII with Odyssey Opera of Boston, Verdi’s Requiem with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria and Rhode Island Philharmonic, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Pacific Symphony and Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with the Pacific Symphony, William Walton’s Façade at the Virginia Arts Festival, Bernstein’s Songfest and Daniel Kidane’s Dream Song with the Seattle Symphony. He has performed selections from Gershwin with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, selections from musicals Les Miserables, Show Boat, and Ragtime with Providence Singers, in “The Spiritual in White America,” a presentation of black spirituals transformed for the white concert stage by Harry Burleigh and Nathaniel Dett, at the Phillips Collection, and a Christmas concert with the Portland Symphony.
Other highlights include performances of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria and the Buffalo Philharmonic, Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius with the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, Porgy and Bess with the Florida Orchestra, performances of Handel’s Messiah with the National Cathedral and Virginia Symphony, Bach’s St. John Passion with the Louisiana Philharmonic, Joe Horowitz’s “Dvorak in America” project with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and Verdi’s Requiem with the National Philharmonic. Kevin Deas has also performed as a soloist in Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with VoxAmaDeus, in Mozart’s Requiem with Boston Baroque, Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral, and Bach’s St. Matthew Passion at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church (NYC). He also sang the title role in Porgy and Bess with Duisberg Phiharmoniker; in Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture with the Reading Symphony Orchestra, and in a tour of Asia with the Pacific Symphony; sings in Bernstein’s Wonderful Town with the Seattle Symphony; and is soloist with the Delaware and El Paso symphony orchestras, and with the PostClassical Ensemble, with which he was Artist in Residence.
He has performed Verdi’s Requiem with the Richmond and Winnipeg symphonies and the National Philharmonic,; Messiah with Boston Baroque, the Cleveland Orchestra, Seattle and Kansas City symphonies, the National Philharmonic, and at the Warsaw Easter Festival; Mozart’s Requiem with the Alabama and Vermont symphonies; Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the Grand Rapids Symphony and the Oratorio Society of New York; St. John Passion with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park and Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Mexico; Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges with the New York Philharmonic; and Copland’s Old American Songs with the Chicago and Columbus symphonies.
A strong proponent of contemporary music, Kevin Deas was heard at Italy’s Spoleto Festival in a new production of Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors in honor of the composer’s eighty-fifth birthday, recorded on video for international release. He also performed the world premieres of Derek Bermel’s The Good Life with the Pittsburgh Symphony and Hannibal Lokumbe’s Dear Mrs. Parks with the Detroit Symphony. His twenty-year collaboration with the late jazz legend Dave Brubeck has taken him to Salzburg, Vienna and Moscow in performances of To Hope! He performed Brubeck’s Gates of Justice in a gala performance in New York.
Kevin Deas recorded Wagner’s Die Meistersinger (Decca/London) with the Chicago Symphony under the late Sir Georg Solti, and Varèse’s Ecuatorial with the ASKO Ensemble under the baton of Riccardo Chailly. Other releases include Bach’s Mass in B Minor and Handel’s Acis and Galatea (Vox Classics); Dave Brubeck’s To Hope! with the Cathedral Choral Society (Telarc); and Haydn’s Die Schöpfung with the Virginia Symphony and Boston Baroque (Linn Records). Dvorák in America (Naxos), features Mr. Deas in the world premiere recording of Dvorák’s Hiawatha Melodrama and the composer’s own arrangement of Goin’ Home with the PostClassical Ensemble.
01/2022 – PLEASE DESTROY ANY PREVIOUSLY DATED MATERIALS.
MODIFIED VERSIONS MUST BE APPROVED BY DISPEKER ARTISTS.
Review: ‘Messiah’ Brings the New York Philharmonic to Church
The formidable bass-baritone Kevin Deas brought chilling fervor to “Why do the nations so furiously rage together,” yet exuded palpable joy in “The trumpet shall sound”
– Anthony Tommasini, New York Times – Related Link
Gershwin music gets performance it deserves from Reading Symphony Orchestra
“that beautiful performance, and the soloists – pianist Simon Mulligan, in a return visit after 17 years; soprano Julie-Ann Whitely Green; and bass-baritone Kevin Deas – couldn’t have been better chosen…The second half was devoted to excerpts from “Porgy and Bess,” with Deas and Green portraying the title characters, as well as Clara, Serena, Jake and Sportin’ Life, in a memorable performance that made me wish I could see them starring in the entire opera.”
– Susan L. Pena, Reading Eagle – Related Link
Review: PostClassical Ensemble’s ‘Deep River: The Art of the Spiritual’ at the Washington National Cathedral
“What was crystal clear from the start, however, was the powerful impact of Kevin Deas, bass-baritone soloist, upon the entire presentation.”
– Ramona Harper, DC Metro Theater Arts – Related Link
‘Porgy and Bess’ Celebrates the Tenacity of Black America
“If you missed the recent performance at The Music Center at Strathmore of George Gershwin’s opera “Porgy and Bess” and featured an all-Black cast in the major singing roles, you missed a jewel of a concert.”
– D. Kevin McNeir, Washington Informer – Related Link
‘Porgy’ and ‘Simon’: Two works trying to fold black experience into Western canon
“What theatrical verve came across was thanks to the soloists. Director Michael Bobbitt’s spare yet effective staging created more than a whiff of Catfish Row, and drew three-dimensional characterizations from the strong soloists, even in formal concert dress…
With his elegant delivery and gently rolling bass-baritone, Kevin Deas emphasized the basic decency and civility in Porgy.”
– Anne Midgette and Joe Banno, The Washington Post – Related Link
Mozart’s Last Symphonic and Choral Utterances
Highlights of the Tuba mirum section of the Sequence were the successive solo stanzas by bass, tenor, mezzo, and soprano; Steven Lundahl was the trombone soloist in resonant partnership with Kevin Deas.
– Virginia Newes, The Boston Musical Intelligencer – Related Link
Bach’s ‘St. John Passion’ Has More Humanity Than Anti-Semitism
“Mr. Keene had a superb Jesus in the bass-baritone Kevin Deas.”
– James R. Oestreich, The New York Times – Related Link
Orchestral
-
Bach
Christmas Oratorio
Magnificat
Mass in B-minor
St. Matthew Passion (arias and all bass roles)
St. John Passion (arias and all bass roles)Beethoven
Mass in C-Major
Missa Solemnis
The Ruins of Athens
Symphony No. 9Brahms
Ein Deutsches RequiemCopland
Old American Songs (Books 1 and 2)Elgar
The Dream of GerontiusFauré
RequiemGershwin
Porgy and Bess (Bennett and Litton concert versions)Glass
The Passion of RamakrishnaHandel
Messiah
Israel in EgyptHaydn
The Creation
Lord Nelson Mass
PaukenmesseMendelssohn
ElijahMoravec
Blizzard VoicesMozart
Great Mass in C-minor
RequiemPuccini
GloriaRossini
Stabat MaterStravinsky
PulcinellaTelemann
Der SchulmeisterVerdi
Requiem
Orchestral
Bach
Christmas Oratorio
Magnificat
Mass in B-minor
St. Matthew Passion (arias and all bass roles)
St. John Passion (arias and all bass roles)Beethoven
Mass in C-Major
Missa Solemnis
The Ruins of Athens
Symphony No. 9Brahms
Ein Deutsches RequiemCopland
Old American Songs (Books 1 and 2)Elgar
The Dream of GerontiusFauré
RequiemGershwin
Porgy and Bess (Bennett and Litton concert versions)Glass
The Passion of RamakrishnaHandel
Messiah
Israel in EgyptHaydn
The Creation
Lord Nelson Mass
PaukenmesseMendelssohn
ElijahMoravec
Blizzard VoicesMozart
Great Mass in C-minor
RequiemPuccini
GloriaRossini
Stabat MaterStravinsky
PulcinellaTelemann
Der SchulmeisterVerdi
Requiem
Audio
Handel: Messiah – Why Do the Nations
Handel: Messiah – Thus saith the Lord
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor – O Freunde, Nicht dise Tone
Copland: Old American Songs – I Bought me a Cat
Copland: Old American Songs – Chin-a-ring Chaw
Copland: Old American Songs – Zion’s Walls
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius (Excerpt)
Mozart: Der Schaspieldirektor – Jeder Kunstler strebt nach Ehre
Documents
Short Biography
Kevin Deas has gained international renown as one of America’s leading bass-baritones. He is perhaps most acclaimed for his signature portrayal of the title role in Porgy and Bess, having performed it with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, as well as the most illustrious orchestras on the North American continent, and at the Ravinia, Vail and Saratoga festivals. 2021-22 season highlights include performances of Mozart’s Requiem with the Florida Orchestra, Handel’s Messiah with the National Cathedral, Boston Baroque, and the New York Philharmonic. Other notable performances in the season include Nathaniel Dett’s The Ordering of Moses with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and the Phoenix Symphony, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, and will be performing the role of Porgy in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess with the Des Moines Metro Opera, as well as the role of Dick Hallorann in Paul Moravec’s critically acclaimed opera The Shining with the Opera Colorado. |
Full Biography
Kevin Deas has gained international renown as one of America’s leading bass-baritones. He is perhaps most acclaimed for his signature portrayal of the title role in Porgy and Bess, having performed it with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, as well as the most illustrious orchestras on the North American continent, and at the Ravinia, Vail and Saratoga festivals.
Kevin Deas’ 2021-22 season includes performances of Mozart’s Requiem with the Florida Orchestra, Handel’s Messiah with the National Cathedral, Boston Baroque, and the New York Philharmonic. Other performances in the season include Nathaniel Dett’s The Ordering of Moses with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and the Phoenix Symphony, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, and will be performing the role of Porgy in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess with the Des Moines Metro Opera, as well as the role of Dick Hallorann in Paul Moravec’s critically acclaimed opera The Shining with the Opera Colorado.
Kevin Deas past season highlights includes performances of Mozart’s Requiem with the Eugene Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, Orchestra Iowa, and National Philharmonic & Chorale, Stravinsky’s Pulcinella with the Florida Orchestra, Handel’s Messiah with the National Cathedral, Saint-Saens’ Henry VII with Odyssey Opera of Boston, Verdi’s Requiem with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria and Rhode Island Philharmonic, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Pacific Symphony and Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with the Pacific Symphony, William Walton’s Façade at the Virginia Arts Festival, Bernstein’s Songfest and Daniel Kidane’s Dream Song with the Seattle Symphony. He has performed selections from Gershwin with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, selections from musicals Les Miserables, Show Boat, and Ragtime with Providence Singers, in “The Spiritual in White America,” a presentation of black spirituals transformed for the white concert stage by Harry Burleigh and Nathaniel Dett, at the Phillips Collection, and a Christmas concert with the Portland Symphony.
Other highlights include performances of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria and the Buffalo Philharmonic, Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius with the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, Porgy and Bess with the Florida Orchestra, performances of Handel’s Messiah with the National Cathedral and Virginia Symphony, Bach’s St. John Passion with the Louisiana Philharmonic, Joe Horowitz’s “Dvorak in America” project with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and Verdi’s Requiem with the National Philharmonic. Kevin Deas has also performed as a soloist in Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with VoxAmaDeus, in Mozart’s Requiem with Boston Baroque, Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral, and Bach’s St. Matthew Passion at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church (NYC). He also sang the title role in Porgy and Bess with Duisberg Phiharmoniker; in Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture with the Reading Symphony Orchestra, and in a tour of Asia with the Pacific Symphony; sings in Bernstein’s Wonderful Town with the Seattle Symphony; and is soloist with the Delaware and El Paso symphony orchestras, and with the PostClassical Ensemble, with which he was Artist in Residence.
He has performed Verdi’s Requiem with the Richmond and Winnipeg symphonies and the National Philharmonic,; Messiah with Boston Baroque, the Cleveland Orchestra, Seattle and Kansas City symphonies, the National Philharmonic, and at the Warsaw Easter Festival; Mozart’s Requiem with the Alabama and Vermont symphonies; Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the Grand Rapids Symphony and the Oratorio Society of New York; St. John Passion with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park and Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Mexico; Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges with the New York Philharmonic; and Copland’s Old American Songs with the Chicago and Columbus symphonies.
A strong proponent of contemporary music, Kevin Deas was heard at Italy’s Spoleto Festival in a new production of Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors in honor of the composer’s eighty-fifth birthday, recorded on video for international release. He also performed the world premieres of Derek Bermel’s The Good Life with the Pittsburgh Symphony and Hannibal Lokumbe’s Dear Mrs. Parks with the Detroit Symphony. His twenty-year collaboration with the late jazz legend Dave Brubeck has taken him to Salzburg, Vienna and Moscow in performances of To Hope! He performed Brubeck’s Gates of Justice in a gala performance in New York.
Kevin Deas recorded Wagner’s Die Meistersinger (Decca/London) with the Chicago Symphony under the late Sir Georg Solti, and Varèse’s Ecuatorial with the ASKO Ensemble under the baton of Riccardo Chailly. Other releases include Bach’s Mass in B Minor and Handel’s Acis and Galatea (Vox Classics); Dave Brubeck’s To Hope! with the Cathedral Choral Society (Telarc); and Haydn’s Die Schöpfung with the Virginia Symphony and Boston Baroque (Linn Records). Dvorák in America (Naxos), features Mr. Deas in the world premiere recording of Dvorák’s Hiawatha Melodrama and the composer’s own arrangement of Goin’ Home with the PostClassical Ensemble.
01/2022 – PLEASE DESTROY ANY PREVIOUSLY DATED MATERIALS.
MODIFIED VERSIONS MUST BE APPROVED BY DISPEKER ARTISTS.