Acclaimed not only for the beauty and resonance of his voice, but also for his consummate stage abilities, Richard Bernstein is at the forefront of the singers of his generation. This beguiling and magnetic bass-baritone garners praise from critics and audiences alike. He has performed his signature role of Mozart's Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro at the Metropolitan Opera and also worldwide with the opera companies of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Portland, Palm Beach, as well as the Opera Pacific, Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, and Teatro del Maggio Musicale in Florence.

In the recent 2006-2007 season, Mr. Bernstein debuted at the Deutsche Oper Berlin and the San Diego Opera as Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro, as well as performing alternating nights as Colline in La Bohème and Alidoro in La Cenerentola with the Opera Company of Philadelphia. He returned to the Metropolitan Opera in Simon Boccanegra and Eugene Onegin, and made his debut in Pamplona, Spain as Don Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia. In addition, Mr. Bernstein performed the Bass Soloist in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, with the Charlotte Symphony, and Colline in La Bohème with the MET Opera in the Parks.

In the fall 2007, Mr. Bernstein reprised the role of Marco in A View from the Bridge with the Washington National Opera, which he previously performed at the MET. Opera News said, "Richard Bernstein's solid vocalism and astute theatrical skills brought out the simmering resentment of Rodolfo's moody brother, Marco." At the Metropolitan Opera, he covered Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro and their productions of Aida, Manon Lescaut, War and Peace, Macbeth, The Gambler, and Satyagraha in a variety of roles. In the summer of 2008, he performs Frank Maurent in Street Scene with Chautauqua Opera for their 40th anniversary season.

In the 2008-2009 Season, Mr. Bernstein performs Alidoro in La Cenerentola with the Atlanta Opera, and returns to the Metropolitan Opera for his 14th consecutive season where he has appeared in over 160 performances and 29 broadcasts since his debut in 1995. This season includes several productions isuch as Salome, The Magic Flute, La Bohème, Eugene Onegin, Das Rheingold, Siegfreid, and the MET's 125th Anniversary Gala.

Other recent noted engagements include his role debut of Orville Mason in the World Premiere of Tobias Picker's An American Tragedy and Colline in La Bohème with the Metropolitan Opera, Laurent in Tobias Picker's Thérèse Raquin at the world premiere in Dallas, Sancho Panza in Don Quichotte at the Klangbogen Festival in Vienna, and a return to Opera Pacific to revive his critically praised Mustafà in L'italiana in Algeri. He has performed Leporello in Don Giovanni at the opera companies of Los Angeles and Philadelphia, Théâtre du Capitole in Toulouse, Metropolitan Opera, and Savonlinna Festival in Finland.

Additionally, Mr. Bernstein has collaborated with a host of major American symphony orchestras and has also appeared at prestigious festivals here and abroad. These include the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago, Houston, San Francisco and National Symphonies, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Choral Society at Carnegie Hall, as well as at the Lincoln Center, Ravinia, Spoleto and the Aspen Music Festivals, the Tanglewood Music Festival, and festivals abroad in Israel, Japan, Germany and Finland.

Born and raised in New York, Mr. Bernstein moved west to pursue his musical studies at the University of Southern California. Upon graduation he was invited to join the Los Angeles Opera Resident Artist program for five seasons.

From top: As Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro at Los Angeles Opera, ©Ken Howard. As Escamillo in Carmen at l"Opéra Montréal, photo: Yves Renaud. As Mustafà in L'Italiana in Algeri at Central City Opera, photo: Mark Kiryluk. As Olin Blitch in Susannah at Chautauqua Opera, ©Ken Howard. As Marco in A View from the Bridge at the Metropolitan Opera, ©Marty Sohl 2002. As Colline in La bohème at the Metropolitan Opera, ©Beth Bergman.