William Bokhout, Operatic baritone, has been the resident Baritone with Opera Grand Rapids for 25 seasons, performing as many as 35 different roles, most recently as Count Ceprano in Verdi’s Rigoletto, the Sacristan in Puccini’s Tosca, Dr. Bartolo in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, El donCairo in Bizet’s Carmen, Gregario in Gounod’s Romeo and Juliette, and Slim in Carlisle Floyd’s of Mice and Men . He also appeared as the title role in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi with the Blue Lake International Repertory Opera , and the Pine Mountain Music Festival in Verdi’s La Traviata, As soloist he has appeared with the Blue Lake Festival Orchestra for Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, The New York Chamber Orchestra in Carnegie Hall, with the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra as soloist in Mozart’s Requiem , Handel’s Messiah , the West Shore Symphony, as well as many musical Theatre and sacred concerts throughout the Midwest.
In 2003, Mr. Bokhout founded The 2nd Act opera company, a professional touring group dedicated to promoting Opera as an art form to young people, performing in many of the schools in the area as well as touring with his wife Hollis presenting Children’s Opera Workshops in elementary schools across the country.
