Breckenridge Music Festival

Keith Miller has it all: a great voice, body and charisma. Last winter, he inspired local students with his words and impressed audiences with his baritone voice. Tonight he returns for an encore with Kara Guggenmos and Debbie Ayers at Father Dyer Church in Breckenridge, just a little more seasoned.

Miller, who grew up in Ovid, Colo., (population 300), was considered rough around the edges in the musical world; prior to 1994, he had never seen an opera, musical or ballet. He was a star fullback for the University of Colorado, played in two Fiesta Bowls, the Cotton Bowl, Aloha Bowl and Independence Bowl, carried the Olympic torch for the Atlanta Games and played pro ball for the European and Arena Football leagues.

But just as teams like the Broncos were looking at him, he chose to pursue a career as an opera singer.

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PRINCIPAL AND SECOND HORN Audition information

January 6th, 2012, 7:30pm

Father Dyer Church, Breckenridge

Tickets: $20 in Advance, $25 at the door

Keith Miller Trades in Football Playbook for the Roster of the Metropolitan Opera

Meteoric Rise Culminates in Over 200 Met Performances and Significant Debuts

The Metropolitan Opera’s bass-baritone Keith Miller knows the odds. A million-to-one to make it in professional football, two million-to-one to succeed in opera. But never bet against Miller. The singer, who matches a steely determination with a commanding presence, has bucked the odds. He has thrived in both worlds, going from the gridiron to one of opera’s most prestigious stages.

In opera terms, his rise has been meteoric. In less than six years as a professional singer, Miller has drawn on his powerfully resonant rumble of a voice, sculpted physique and astounding athleticism to put his stamp on operatic productions old and new.  Miller has sung in over 200 performances at the Metropolitan Opera, appeared in numerous HD Met Opera broadcast productions seen in 46 countries, and increasingly performs on the concert stage. And, he has performed with such Met superstars as Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Deborah Voight and Renée Fleming as well in a Grammy-nominated recording of Eugene Onegin.

Opera News recently hailed his “smoldering presence and sharp, booming delivery” and called him an “artist to watch.” Classicalsource.com said, “Keith Miller gave an outstanding performance, both vocally and dramatically, as Zuniga. His superb bass voice, excellent musicianship and keen stage presence make each role he performs noteworthy, and should presage bigger roles in the future.”

By applying the same  rigorous training to his singing career as he did when he was an athlete, Miller is now one of the few performers today who can take on opera’s increasingly challenging roles that demand not only a beautiful voice but also the strength and stamina to make a stage fight thrilling or a dance sequence artful. He’s a perfect fit in the new world of opera where singers are expected to look like movie stars and where fitness is a non-negotiable requirement.

Most recently, Miller made his debut in 2011 at venues nationwide from the Washington and Seattle Opera to the Breckenridge Music Festival. As Artist in Residence with the Savannah Children’s Choir, where one of his objectives has been to break down stereotypes about opera and the arts, he gave lectures, master classes and sang in recital. In the fall he returned to the Metropolitan Opera opening night as part  of the star-studded cast of Anna Bolena.

In 2012, Miller’s skyward trajectory continues at the Metropolitan Opera where his performances will include singing in Billy Budd and Anna Bolena.  Other scheduled performances include a concert at Carnegie Hall with the American Symphony Orchestra, a recital at the Breckenridge Music Festival in Colorado, and Florencia en el Amazonas at Opera Colorado.

“Keith has found a home in the Metropolitan Opera,” Zimmerman says. “It is fulfilling something so deep in him. This is a case of someone finding a passion that’s such a complete and perfect fit yet was such a mystery to him until he was in his ‘20s.”

http://www.keithmillerbass.com/

The second annual Colorado Gives Day is less than a week away! Please join Coloradans across the state on December 6 in supporting the Colorado Chautauqua Association and all your favorite nonprofits.
Last year, the generosity of Coloradans shined when $8.7 million was donated to their favorite local charities.
Presented by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, Colorado Gives Day will take place online during a 24-hour period starting at 12 a.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. By giving on Colorado Gives Day, the value of your donation is increased through the FirstBank Incentive Fund.

Click the video image to watch a clip about Colorado Gives Day

Sometimes, life — and careers — get in the way of people continuing to fully express their passions. That’s a bit of the case for Olivia Grover; she’s spent years promoting other musicians’ performances through the Breckenridge Music Festival, and in the process, she hasn’t had a chance to be on stage lately. But Sunday, she’ll be part of 35 community members who have gathered to present a concert called From Bach to Beatles.

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Last year, the generosity of Coloradans shined when $8.7 million was donated to their favorite local charities. We are excited to announce Colorado Gives Day 2011!

This year the BMF is pleased to announce that we are participating in Colorado Gives Day

When
24 hours starting at 12 a.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2011

How
Online through GivingFirst.org

Why
To support the nonprofits that protect and nurture quality of life in Colorado