Tenor Cooper Nolan, praised for his “bright, shining, tenor” (Musical America) and his “powerhouse voice” (Opera News), is increasingly making a name for himself as an important interpreter of some of opera's most demanding tenor roles. In the 2022 season, Cooper reprises the role of the tenor in Carmina Burana with his Alma Mater, the University of Florida, and the Dance Alive National Ballet. Later this season, highlights include the tenor Soloist in Verdi's Requiem with the Defiant Requiem Foundation, and as the tenor soloist in Beethoven's 9th Symphony with the Jacksonville Symphony.

Prior to Covid, Mr. Nolan made a triumphant debut as Hermann in new production of Pique Dame in his return to Theatre Aachen. Reviewers stated “The Singing that took place on the premiere evening was at a very considerable level. The tenor Cooper Nolan masters the demanding role of Herman vocally with flying colors.” BRF Nachrichten, and “I am unrestrictedly captivated by Cooper Nolan's performance as Hermann. He has a tenor of dark coloring,  trumps with bomb-proof height and draws the many facets of the officer from a loving underdog to an insane game fanatic in every second, both vocally and in a powerfully convincing way.” Der Opernfruend . 

In the 2018-2019 season, Cooper appeared as Canio in Pagliacci and will made a concert appearance with the Lexington Philharmonic in Verdi’s Requiem under the baton of Scott Terrell. Mr. Nolan made his Oper Frankfurt debut as the title role in Verdi’s Stiffelio and also made his role debut as Cavaradossi in Tosca with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. He sang Bacchus in a new production of Ariadne auf Naxos at Theater Aachen. He also sang Don José in Carmen with El Paso Opera and in his European debut with Theater Kiel. He returned to Santa Fe Opera, singing Tybalt in Roméo and Juliette under Harry Bicket, while covering Dick Johnson in La fanciulla del West under Emmanuel Villaume.

In previous seasons, Mr. Nolan was a Resident Artist at Minnesota Opera performing Don José in Carmen and Trin in La fanciulla del West, in addition to covering Nemorino (L'elisir d'amore) and taking part in the world premiere of Kevin Puts' The Manchurian Candidate. In Summer 2015, he joined the Apprentice Program at Santa Fe Opera, covering both Narraboth (Salome) and Teague in the world premiere of Jennifer Higdon's Cold Mountain. Mr. Nolan has performed Edgardo in Lucia di Lamermoor with Winter Opera St. Louis, Rodolfo in a semi-staged La Bohème with the Savannah Philharmonic, and then returned to the Savannah Philharmonic for an evening of operatic and musical theater favorites, including Puccini's "Nessun Dorma".

Mr. Nolan has sung Luigi in Puccini's Il tabarro on the stage of the Norweigian National Opera House under the auspices of LidalNorth. With the Merola Opera Program of San Francisco Opera, he sang excerpts from Rigoletto and Lucia di Lamermoor. Other performances highlights include Carmina Burana with the Savannah Philharmonic and Dance Alive National Ballet, Mendelssohn's Die Erste Waldpurgisnacht with the St. George's Choral Society, the Chevalier de la Force (Dialogues of the Carmelites) with LidalNorth, and an Italian Opera Gala with the New Jersey State Opera.

As an alumnus of Manhattan School of Music, Mr. Nolan was seen there in many roles, including the Duke (Rigoletto), Ulysse (Fauré's Pénélope), Paco (La vida breve), and scenes as Don Alvaro (La forza del destino), and the title role in L'amico Fritz. While there, he was selected to sing alongside Thomas Hampson in a Gala performance honoring Marilyn Horne. Upon graduation, he was presented with the Richard F. Gold Career Grant from the Shoshana Foundation, given to the most promising graduate of the voice program. He also holds a degree in music education from the University of Florida. A two-time Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions District Winner, Mr. Nolan currently resides in Gainesville, FL. 

Photo: Pat Kirk