Shawn Thuris

Tenor and Recitalist

Bacchus in "Ariadne auf Naxos" (Utopia Opera)

James Jorden in New York Observer (June 15, 2015) 

"[Ariadne auf Naxos] includes two of the most difficult roles in opera to cast: Zerbinetta... and Bacchus... For these parts last Saturday night, Utopia delivered artists who could hold their own in the world's major opera houses... [T]he focus turned solidly to tenor Shawn Thuris as Bacchus. His big, muscular voice easily scaled the role's myriad of high B-flats, and, even better, he made Hoffmannsthal's allusive text sound like poetry." 

Bacchus in "Ariadne auf Naxos" (Edmonton, Alberta)

Bill Rankin in Opera Canada Magazine (Fall 2012)
Link to full text of article

"Tenor Shawn Thuris is already getting work in the U.S., and judging from his captivating tone quality, it's no mystery why. At the Jun. 26 performance, Thuris summoned the clarion sound of a seasoned heldentenor..."


Tenor Shawn Thuris is already getting work in the U.S., and judging from his captivating tone quality, it's no mystery why. At the Jun. 26 performance, Thuris summoned the clarion sound of a seasoned heldentenor--consistently in the climactic scene--though he sounded less experienced at the second performance. 

Tenor Shawn Thuris is already getting work in the U.S., and judging from his captivating tone quality, it's no mystery why. At the Jun. 26 performance, Thuris summoned the clarion sound of a seasoned heldentenor--consistently in the climactic scene--though he sounded less experienced at the second performance. 

Il Conte in North American premiere of "I due Figaro"

Opera Obsession (blog), 10/19/2011
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"Tenor Shawn Thuris, as the Count [...] displayed impressive vocal agility, and admirable sensitivity to text. His scenic assurance made Almaviva credibly pompous without sacrificing dramatic nuance. His eventual conversion was believable and welcome." 

Spoletta in Tosca for Nevada Opera Theatre

Geri Jeter, "The One Minute Opera Review" -- Las Vegas Weekly, 01/26/2006
Link to full text of article

"The minor roles were well-executed, particularly Shawn Thuris as Spoletta... "

Schubert's "Nachthelle" for Jacaranda concerts

Alan Rich, "A Lot of Night Music" -- LA Weekly, 11/18/05
Link to full text of article

"More Schubert ended the program, with utter delight: four of his choral pieces, quite nicely sung by 32 members of the Cal State Fullerton Men’s Chorus. Two of them were short and familiar, but two were special. One was Nachthelle, an ecstatic nocturne for high tenor (Shawn Thuris) and voices; the other, Nachtgesang im Walde, perched on a Wagnerian threshold, set a long, woodsy text for voices and, up in the organ loft, a quartet of French horns. Talk about your magic!"

Tribute to Lauritz Melchior at Santa Monica College

Amy Posada -- "Honoring the Memory of Lauritz Melchior" in the Santa Monica College Corsair, 3/19/03
Link to full text of article

In the audience was Melchior’s son, author and motion picture director, Ib Melchior, accompanied by his wife.  Melchior spoke fondly of the event saying, “I am very impressed with what is happening here tonight... I am very much enjoying the concert.”

Tenor Shawn Thuris was featured in every piece of the evening, and Melchior said of his performance, “Mr. Thuris’s voice is very, very powerful, and I like it very much.”