Lucas Meachem Explained
| Lucas Meachem |
| Birth Name: | John Lucas Meachem[1] |
| Birth Date: | June 11, 1978 |
| Nationality: | American |
| Citizenship: | United States |
| Known For: | performing the role of Figaro in 2016 Los Angeles Opera's Ghosts of Versailles |
John Lucas Meachem (born June 11, 1978), known professionally as Lucas Meachem, is an American lyric baritone known for performing the role of Figaro in 2016 Los Angeles Opera's Ghosts of Versailles which earned him a Grammy Award.[2] [3]
Early life
Lucas Meachem was born and raised in Carthage, North Carolina and grew up singing karaoke before discovering opera.[4] Meachem trained at the Adler Program artist residency at the San Francisco Opera from 2004 to 2005.[5] He had his big break soon after that in 2006, when he was discovered at a karaoke bar in Paris by acclaimed mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, who suggested he step in for Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride at the Lyric Opera of Chicago from which the international star baritone Simon Keenlyside had withdrawn.[5]
Career
Meachem made his Metropolitan Opera debut as General Rayevsky in War and Peace in 2008,[6] and has since performed at the Met as Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette, Silvio in Pagliacci, Marcello in La bohème.[7] He most recently sang the role of Sharpless in Madama Butterfly.
In 2016, Meachem won a Grammy for Los Angeles Opera's Ghosts of Versailles as Figaro.[8] Also in 2016, Meachem was voted as the inaugural Emerging Star by San Francisco Opera.[9] [10]
In 2021, Meachem performed the role of Figaro in an abridged English-language adaptation of The Barber of Seville for the San Francisco Opera. The production was held as an open-air, drive-in event at the Marin Center due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] [12]
Personal life
Meachem is married to pianist/opera coach, Irina Meachem.[13] They have a son, and live in Minneapolis.
Discography
DVD
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Lucas Meachem | Baritone on Instagram: "Vote like your life depends on it, because it does. Americans, don't take your voting privilege for granted. They only exist through the valiant efforts and sacrifices of those who came before us. Make your voices heard. VOTE!!! P.S. I had to remind myself to sign my full legal name (Would you have guessed my first name is actually John) #vote #voteearly #election2020" .
- News: David . Menconi . 'Here's to the grind!' Raleigh opera singer's hard work brings Grammy . www.newsobserver.com. 15 February 2017. 16 May 2018.
- News: Meet Lucas Meachem, the 'rock star of opera' with the Minneapolis address . www.minnpost.com. 11 May 2018. 16 May 2018.
- News: Lucas Meachem, ou quand un air de karaoké mène à l'opéra . www.lexpress.fr. 16 May 2018.
- News: Pia . Catton . Karaoke Is Key to Singer's Success - Lucas Meachem raises the bar for baritones . www.wsj.com. 13 April 2015 . 16 May 2018.
- News: A Conversation with Lucas Meachem — San Francisco Opera's Barber of Seville headshot . www.huffingtonpost.com. 16 May 2018.
- News: James R . Oestreich . Review: 'La Bohème' at the Met Is Grand, Reviled and Beloved . www.nytimes.com. 3 October 2017. 16 May 2018.
- News: A Grammy-winning opera singer lives in Minneapolis Arts & Culture . www.mprnews.org. 15 February 2017. 16 May 2018.
- News: Opera News Desk . San Francisco Opera Announces Winner of Emerging Stars Competition: Baritone Lucas Meachem . www.broadwayworld.com. 9 June 2016 . 16 May 2018.
- News: David . Salazar . Finding His Own Voice – How Lucas Meachem Went From Mimicking His Favorite Artists To Becoming An Opera Star . operawire.com. 23 February 2018 . 16 May 2018.
- News: May . Thomas . Rossini at the Drive-In, as San Francisco Opera Returns . May 13, 2021 . . April 30, 2021.
- News: Lichtenbaum . Elisa . #PBSForTheArts Artist Spotlight: Lucas Meachem . May 13, 2021 . . May 13, 2021.
- News: Joshua . Kosman . Baritone celebrates his marriage with unusual recital . sfgate.com. 23 August 2012 . 16 May 2018.
