Cory Renbarger

Baritone Cory J Renbarger currently serves as the coordinator of applied voice and director of Bemidji Opera Theater at Bemidji State University, where he joined the faculty in 2012.  He holds degrees from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, as well as the Cincinnati College-Conservatory and the University of Minnesota, where he completed his doctoral studies. Cory has performed in opera, oratorio, and recital across the United States and abroad with companies such as Florida Grand Opera, Dayton Opera, Opera Theater Festival in Lucca, Italy, Minnesota Opera, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Chicago Opera Theater, Fargo-Moorhead Opera, Ashlawn Opera, Sorg Opera, The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Southern Tier Symphony, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, and others.  Some of his notable opera roles have included Mozart’s Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), Don Giovanni (Don Giovanni), and Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Britten’s Tarquinius (The Rape of Lucretia), Verdi’s Marullo (Rigoletto), and Puccini’s Sharpless (Madame Butterfly), Sciarrone (Tosca), and Gianni Schicchi (Gianni Schicchi).  In oratorio, he has been heard in Mozart’s Requiem, on national broadcasts of Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Creation, Fauré’s Requiem and more.  In 2008, Cory was a national semi-finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, where he performed on stage at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.  During his time at the University of Minnesota, he also served as the official anthem singer for the Minnesota Wild hockey franchise. Mr. Renbarger continues to pursue an active operatic and recital career in addition to his studio, class, and stage work with his students at Bemidji State University.  As Director of Opera Theater at BSU, Cory has directed many shows, including Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Michael Ching’s Speed Dating Tonight!, and most recently Georges Bizet’s Doctor Miracle.  Future engagements include Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana with Fargo-Moorhead Opera and multiple performances of Schubert’s Winterreise with pianist Stephen Carlson.  Cory resides in Bemidji, MN with his wife Amanda, and their daughter, Bella.

Roles with Loon

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