John Vorrasi

Tenor John Vorrasi is known for his performances on the concert and opera stage, and for his work as a librettist (for William Ferris), translator (for William Mathias), essayist (for numerous recordings and journals), and program annotator (for the Chicago Symphony Chamber Music Series). He has been a featured artist with the Virginia Philharmonic, Chicago Opera Theatre, Aldeburgh Festival, Spoleto Festival: USA, International Music Festival at Genève, and the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music at the Vatican.

His recitals, often with composers William Ferris, Lee Hoiby, and Ned Rorem as his accompanist, have been broadcast by the BBC, Radio Vaticana, NPR, and Chicago radio stations WNIB and WFMT. He gave the Chicago premieres of Gian Carlo Menotti’s opera The Egg and Missa: O Pulchritudo, both under the direction of the composer. He can be heard on the Cedille, CRI, Musical Arts Society, New World, and WFC Live labels.

In partnership with composer William Ferris, he helped create the William Ferris Chorale, designing its public image, organizing its business affairs, and most importantly, lending his artistry as the Chorale’s tenor soloist. He now serves as the ensemble’s Artistic Director.