About

Hailed as “show-stopping,” baritone Michael Pandolfo is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most sought-after and dynamic singers of his generation. Renowned for his bright voice and commanding high notes, his high-caliber performances with various American opera companies have attracted considerable attention and critical acclaim.

During the 2021-22 season, Michael made a notable debut in Florida as a Studio Artist with the Florida Grand Opera, delivering a well-received portrayal of Marullo in Rigoletto, where he was commended for his "manly baritone." He also portrayed the robust role of Senator McCarthy in Fellow Travelers. That summer, he made his debut with the Des Moines Metro Opera as Robin Starveling in Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where he was also covered the role of Demetrius. In November 2022, Michael returned to Miami to make his principal debut as Count Robinson in a newly adapted Spanish version of Il Matrimonio Segreto with the Florida Grand Opera.

In the spring of 2023, Michael achieved a significant milestone by winning the Tulsa District of the Laffont Metropolitan Opera Competition and competing as a regional finalist. Later that spring, he appeared as a guest artist performing Hawkins Fuller in Fellow Travelers at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and in April, he revisited his musical theater roots as Anthony in Sweeney Todd at Opera Tampa. Michael spent that summer as a Young Artist with Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico.

In 2024, he began the year with a role debut as Belcore in L’elisir d’amore at Gulfshore Opera, followed shortly by his performance as the baritone soloist in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana at the University of Texas at Arlington. Over the summer, he sang the role of Fiorello with Des Moines Metro Opera in Il barbiere di Siviglia and covered the challenging role of Pelléas in Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande. In the fall, he made his company debut at Austin Opera, performing the roles of Young Raymond and The Nominee in The Manchurian Candidate. Looking ahead to 2025, Michael will compete in the District round of the Laffont Competition in Tulsa.

Mr. Pandolfo holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Kentucky, where he graduated in 2018 under the tutelage of renowned soprano Cynthia Lawrence. He earned his Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 2021, studying with esteemed professor William McGraw.