American lyric-baritone Matthew Hayward is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most versatile young artists of his generation. The Virginian-Pilot proclaims him as a “stylish leading man with a strong, ringing voice and a winning stage presence,” and the Tri-City Herald says “When he comes on stage, people sit up and take notice.” Likewise, The Herald praises his “…elegant tone and smooth stage manner.”

In the 2007-2008 Season, Mr. Hayward performs Marquis de Brisaille and covers Le Bret in the World Premiere of David DiChiera and Bernard Uzan’s Cyrano at the Michigan Opera Theatre. He will also perform Le Bret in Michigan Opera Theatre’s student performance, Gregorio in Roméo et Juliette with the Baltimore Opera, the Count in Le nozze di Figaro with Washington East Opera, and Marcello in La bohème with Skagit Opera. Recent performances in recital and on the opera stage include Count in Le nozze di Figaro with Skagit Opera, and Gregorio in Roméo et Juliette with the Michigan Opera Theatre, as well as Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Peter in Hänsel und Gretel and Jupiter in Offenbach’s Orpheé aux enfers, Schaunard in La bohème, Sam in Trouble in Tahiti, Tom/John in The Face on the Barroom Floor, Maximilian in Candide, Mr. Gedge in Albert Herring, Mamma Agata in Viva La Mamma, and Harry Easter in Street Scene.

Mr. Hayward has enjoyed a close association with the Aspen Music Festival and has sung recitals there featuring the works of Duparc, Schubert and Weill, performances of Ravel’s Chansons Madécasses, Schumann’s Spanisches Liederspiel and a Leonard Bernstein Gala with Broadway star Judy Kaye.

Recently in concert, he was personally invited by Maestro Julius Rudel to debut with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Virginia Arts Festival, where he sang an all Kurt Weill Gala with soprano Angelina Réaux. Mr. Hayward’s other concert repertoire includes Handel’s Messiah, Brahms’ Requiem, Mozart’s Missa Brevis, Beethoven’s Organ Solo Mass, Fauré’s Requiem, Mendelssohn’s St. Paul, Mahler’s Wayfarer Songs and Orff’s Carmina Burana.

Mr. Hayward was a finalist in the 2007 Albanese-Puccini Foundation International Vocal Competition. He has performed under such distinguished conductors as Julius Rudel, John Moriarty, David Briskin, Sarah Jobin, Jeffrey Rink, Beatrice Affron, Dean Williamson, David Zinman and Keith Lockhart. A Seattle native, Mr. Hayward completed his Bachelor and Master of Music studies at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.