Benjamin Brecher

About

Benjamin Brecher is a Professor of Voice at UC Santa Barbara, where he has taught since 2008 and currently serves as Department Chair of the Music Department (since 2022). A native of Toledo, Ohio, he is an operatic and concert tenor who has performed 70 operatic roles with more than forty orchestras at some of the world's most prestigious venues, specializing in the high lying lyric tenor repertoire. After making his professional debut with Opera Theatre of St. Louis in Colin Graham's production of Billy Budd, he quickly began winning engagements in the US and abroad. He has performed fifteen roles with The New York City Opera alone. Recent performances include appearances at the Ravinia Festival with The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the world premiere of the opera Shot! Professor Brecher has thirteen recordings to his credit, including 2023's "Three Centuries of Thomas Moore" on MSR Classics, featuring works by Britten, Berlioz, and a world premiere recording. He grew up in a music-loving household that often attended symphonic and opera performances, beginning formal music training as a classical guitarist at age 8 followed by trumpet at age 10.

Education & Qualifications

Studied voice at Bowling Green State University, New England Conservatory of Music, and the Juilliard Opera Center

Teaching Styles