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The American tenor, Andrew Surrena, grew up in the San Francisco bay area. He obtained Bachelor of Music degree (2011) and his Master of Music degree (2013) from Northern Arizona University. While living in Arizona he performed the roles of Ferrando in W.A. Mozart's Così fan tutte, Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, the title role in Benjamin Britten's Albert Herring, and Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore. He was Music Academy of the West Voice Fellow (2012); Seagle Music Colony Young Artist (2013); Central City Opera Studio Artist (2014); Sarasota Opera Apprentice Artist (2014-2016); Opera North Young Artist (2016); Fort Worth Opera Young Artist (2016-2017); Chautauqua Opera Studio Artist (2017).
Andrew Surrena has gained recognition performing in operas, concerts, and new works with companies across the USA. During the 2016-2017 season, Andrew Surrena sang with Fort Worth Opera. He made his debut as the tenor lead in the world premiere opera Voir Dire, receiving praise for his “particularly arresting” performance from the Wall Street Journal. He was also featured in Fort Worth Opera’s Frontiers, singing several roles in new operatic works. While in Texas he competed in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and was a district winner in Houston. He advanced and placed third in the MONC Gulf Coast Regional finals held in New Orleans. In 2017-2018 season, he appeared with Sarasota Opera to sing Nando in Eugen d'Albert's Tiefland and Don José in La tragédie de Carmen with Tri-Cities Opera after covering the role at Fort Worth Opera and Sarasota Opera. In June 2018, he recorded the tenor roles he originated in the world premiere of Voir Dire by Matthew Peterson for the original cast album.
In addition to performing Tamino with Sarasota Opera in the 2018-2019 season, Andrew Surrena sang the role of Ferrando in Così fan tutte with Opera in the Heights, Glacier Symphony, and Mid Ohio Opera. He was also the guest soloist in Amarillo Opera’s spring gala. In 2019-2020 season, he sang the role of Roméo in Charles Gounod's Roméo et Juliette wit Sarasota Opera, receiving praise for his “fine lyric tenor” (Opera News), “whose voice is rich and full through its entire range” (Herald Tribune). Previous appearances at Sarasota include Tamino in W.A. Mozart's Die Zauberflöte and Alfredo in La traviata. He performed earlier in the year with Opera on the James in their season opening concert “With Voices Raised.”
Andrew Surrena’s 2020-2021 season includes a return to Sarasota Opera for their reimagined fall concert season “Live from the Sarasota Opera House.” In March/April 2021 he will debut the role of Aeneas in Sarasota Opera’s production of Dido and Aeneas. He recently received praise for his “captivating performance” (Opera News) of the tenor roles in the newly released studio recording of Voir Dire by Matthew Peterson. Before the Covid-19 pandemic forced companies to cancel their 2020-2021 seasons, he looked forward to role debuts as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni and Cavaradossi in Tosca. He now lives in New York City. |
