Profile of David Daniels on Famous Like Me

The American singer David Daniels (born 12 March 1966) is one of the best-known and highly regarded countertenors in modern operatic history. He is greatly admired for the power, agility, and tonal beauty of his voice as well as his rugged good-looks and stage presence.

Daniels was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the son of two singing teachers. He began to sing as a boy soprano, moving to tenor as his voice matured. He studied music at the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Dissatisfied with his achievements as a tenor, Daniels switched to singing countertenor during graduate studies at the University of Michigan.

Daniels made his professional singing debut in 1992. In 1999, he made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera as Sesto in Giulio Cesare. His repertoire has grown to include other major Handel's roles, including Julius Caesar: Arsace in the comedy Partenope (at the Lyric Opera of Chicago), the title role in Tamerlano, Arsamene in Xerxes, and David in Saul and the title role in Rinaldo, both at the Bavarian State Opera, as well as Nerone in Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea.

Daniels has also branched out from the baroque roles usually associated with counter-tenors to include Oberon in Britten's Midsummer Night's Dream at the Metropolitan Opera and as Orfeo in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

In addition to his operatic work, Daniels also gives regular recitals, for which he has developed a repertoire that includes nineteenth and twentieth century art songs not usually associated with countertenors, with works by such composers as Berlioz and Poulenc.

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