Edward Washington II

Edward Washington II

Presenter - Opera

Biography

American tenor Edward Washington II (Xi Nu Chapter – 2003) was born in England raised in Saudi Arabia and lives in New York City. He studied voice at Stetson University and then attended Morgan State University where he finished his Master’s degree. His voice teachers were Mollie Rich, Craig Maddox, Kenneth Kamal Scott, and Marquita Lister.

 

Brother Washington’s roles include “Mr. Scratch” in Moore’s Devil and Daniel Webster’s, “Spoletta” in Puccini’s Tosca, “Edwin” in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, “Ralph” in Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore, “Robbins” in George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, “Parpigol” in Puccini’s La Boheme, “Gherardo” in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, “Pang” and “Pong” in Puccini’s Turandot, “Tamino” in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and among others. He has premiered several new songs by American composers/arrangers including Timothy Amukele and Robert Troeger.

 

Edward soloed in concert with the United States Air Force Band, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Orlando Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Morgan State University Choir, and the American Spiritual Ensemble. He was a featured vocalist twice at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He has performed with Orlando Opera, Central Florida Lyric Opera, Opera Orlando, International Festival of the Voice, New York City Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera.

 

This season’s performances include the Metropolitan Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, Michigan Opera Theater, Opera Omaha, Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Museum and be featured with Duquesne University on Adolphus Hailstork’s “I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes,” which is 3 movements for Tenor Soloist, Choir and Orchestra and a tour with the American Spiritual Ensemble.

 

Edward Washington II was formerly the Music and Education Director of the “Negro Spiritual” Scholarship Foundation based in Orlando, Florida where directed their choral ensemble “Master Singers.” He still is a proud ambassador for the foundation. He is also a proud brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.