BEHIND THE MUSIC OF FREDERICK FREY

Mr. Frey began his studies in the Midwest, earning his undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in voice and vocal performance. He quickly found his way on to the concert stages of North America performing such rich and varied works as Haydn’s Mass in C Major, Mahler’s Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen, Faure’s Requiem, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the New Bulgarian National Opera on a national tour throughout France. A special favorite of Mr. Frey’s was an extraordinary performance of Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat with Werner Klemperer and Janet Bookspan.

Soon he was expanding his musical horizons and accomplishments by entering the world of opera. He began working with regional companies performing such works as Verdi’s Un ballo in Maschera with Kristian Johannsson, Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette with Gail Robinson and Eric Halvforson, the roles of Faust and Dr. Marianus in Schumann’s Szenen aus Goethe’s Faust with Barbara Daniels in Graz, Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde with George Grey and Jerome Hines. He has performed grand opera such as Puccini’s Tosca with Thomas Conlin and David Bamberger, Strauss’ Elektra with Barry Busse and Christian Badea conducting and Otello with Pablo Elvira, Maria Spacagna and James King again with Maestro Christian Badea.

Along this rich and varied path, Mr. Frey has gained a reputation and expertise in 20th century operatic roles as well. These include the role of Colon, in the World Premiere performance of Antonio Braga’s 1492 at the Teatro Nacional in Santa Domingo, the role of James Fergus in the World Premiere performance of Eric Funk’s Pamelia at Carnegie Hall, and in March, 2001, the roles of District Attorney Frederick Katzman and Samuel Stratton in the World Premiere production of the opera Sacco and Vanzetti by composer and conductor Anton Coppola at the Tampa Bay Opera. Recently, Mr. Frey has been featured on the Montana PBS show "11th and Grant with Eric Funk." 

( https://watch.montanapbs.org/video/frederick-frey-1jxrer/ )

On a lighter note and between engagements, Mr. Frey has participated as a judge in both the Miss Ohio State and Miss New York State scholarship pageants of the Miss America competition. He recently served on the voice faculty of New Jersey City University, The County College of Morris, and Montana State University.