Won Whi CHOI 최원휘, Tenor

Currently a festival artist at Theater Erfurt in Germany, Won Whi Choi has been busy captivating and thrilling audiences worldwide with his lustrous and ringing voice, elegant musicianship, and sensitive artistry. Choi was praised for his portrayal of Rodolfo in La bohème and his “big, virile sound that rocketed fearlessly up to a high C, so secure he dared to run across the stage while holding the note,” by The New York Observer. While in Erfurt, Mr. Choi sang the roles of Il Duca in Rigoletto, Don José in Carmen, and Prince Sou Chong in Lehár’s Das Land des Lächelns. This season, he will sing Roméo in Roméo et Juliette, reprise the role of Prince Suo-Chong in Das Land des Lächelns, Don José in Carmen, Ferrando in Così fan tutte, Hyllus in Hercules, Andres in Wozzeck, and Il Cantatore in Giulietta e Romeo with Theater Erfurt; and the role of Ruggero in La Rondine with the Puccini Festival in Italy. In 2017-2018 season, Mr. Choi will join the roster of The Metropolitan Opera for productions of L’elisir d’amore.

 

Recent seasons include engagements such as: Arcadio in Florencia en el Amazonas in a début with New York City Opera; Rodolfo in La bohème in a débuts with Croatian National Theatre in Osijek, Lyric Opera of Virginia and El Paso Opera; Sou-Chong in Franz Lehar’s Das Land des Lächelns in a début with Hong Kong Opera; Ruggero in La rondine at Skylark Opera; Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor with Opera in Williamsburg; Chevalier in Dialogues des Carmélites with Mannes Opera Theatre;  Alfredo in La traviata for Mannes Opera Theatre and Opera på Skäret in Sweden; the title role in Les contes d’Hoffmann with the Martina Arroyo Foundation; and Il Duca in Rigoletto at Opera Idaho, where critics raved: “Choi made for a strapping and sexy Duke of Mantua, which makes it more believable that women would so willingly fall for his charms, and sacrifice themselves for his life. His soaring tenor easily and fearlessly reached the high Bs in ‘La donna è mobile,’ one of the most known arias in the operatic canon.

 

Mr. Choi is emerging as a concert artist to watch after his performance of Händel’s Messiah with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. The Winnipeg Free Press hailed: “Won Whi Choi asserted his booming presence immediately with his opening recitative ‘Comfort ye my people’ followed by aria ‘Ev’ry valley shall be exalted.’ Demonstrating a remarkable vocal strength…the singer responded ably to the composer’s many virtuosic runs while also displaying an equally impressive dynamic range.” Recently, he sang in an opera gala at Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall in Shanghai, China.

 

Mr. Choi’s interpretation of Rodolfo in La bohème garners acclaim on every stage he graces. From his performance in Croatia, Glas Slavinije wrote: “Won Whi Choi as Rodolfo sang his famous aria, with joyful accents excited enthusiasm and nobility, with pure lilting melodies and striking vocal line, effortlessly climbing to a high C. Choi’s performance was absolutely perfect, showcasing his excellent legato phrasing. The range of voice was remarkable! His performance consisted of high notes that were strongly developed, dynamic contrasts, great diction, vocal coloring, combined with world class phrasing and dynamic shading.”

 

Mr. Choi was one of eight finalists at the Montreal International Musical Competition in 2012. He holds a Professional Studies Diploma and a Master of Music Degree from Mannes College of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Korean National University of the Arts.

 

Representation: Korea, Europe