Bio
Opera News praises tenor Chad Shelton for one of his trademark roles, claiming that his “Don José was the dramatic heart of this production; this was a performance that grew in complexity as he struggled to reconcile the forces of loyalty, lust and fate. Shelton owned the final scene, as his character descended into despair fueled by psychotic obsession. His bright tone amplified the intensity of the last gripping moments.” In the 2021-22 Season, he returned to the Metropolitan Opera in Aucoin’s Eurydice (Loud Stone) and Dean’s Hamlet (Third Player), both company premieres, as well as returns to the production of Elektra. He also joined Houston Grand Opera, his home company in Dialogues des Carmélites (Father Confessor). He has joined the Opéra National de Lorraine numerous times and is a frequent leading presence with Houston Grand Opera. He is acclaimed for his performances of contemporary works and triumphed in leading tenor roles in the world premiere of O’Regan’s The Phoenix and in Adams’ Nixon in China (Chairman Mao) with San Diego Opera. He is the recipient of a Richard Tucker Foundation Career Grant and the Richard F. Gold Career Grand from the Shoshana Foundation. He holds a Master of Music degree and Artist diploma from the Yale University School of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree from Louisiana State University.