West Bay Opera
Jesse Merlin
Mr. Merlin returns to West Bay Opera as Benoit after appearing as
Wagner in Faust last Fall
and as the Marquis d'Obigny in last season's production of La traviata..
He studied classical voice in Manhattan with Peter Van Derick, and studied
directing, acting and design at the Playwrights' Horizons drama
studio of New York University.
Recent roles include Benoît in La bohème,
Count Ceprano in Rigoletto (Opera San José), and
Aileen's Grandfather in the world premiere of Wuornos by Carla Lucero at
the Yerba Buena Center.
At Opera San José, Mr. Merlin's roles have include Prince Yamadori
in Madama Butterfly, Count des Grieux Manon, Benoit
and Count Ceprano in Rigoletto
As Resident Artist with that company for 2002-03, Mr. Merlin is scheduled to
perform Alidoro in La Cenerentola, Méphistophélès,
Ferrando in I trovatore, and Sarastro.
A Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiast, Jesse has played Lord Mountararat in
Iolanthe, the title role in The Mikado, the Boatswain's Mate in
H.M.S. Pinafore, the Sergeant in Pirates of Penzance, and
Arac in Princess Ida with the San Francisco Lamplighters,
Lyric Theatre of San Jose, and the Stanford Savoyards.
Jesse Merlin's Web Site
4 May 2002
