Bruno Rivera
Countertenor
“Discovery of the year… Full-throated high notes that rang in the ears…Exciting young artist to watch… Unique talents” - Vocal arts chicago
Bio
The superpower...
With “Full-Throated high notes that rang in the ears” Countertenor Bruno Rivera became the “Discovery of the Year” in 2018 by Vocal Arts Chicago. After moving to Europe in 2021, within less than a year he made his London debut as Strophe in Mark Springer's new opera Army of Lovers and soon will be making his debut in Italy performing the title role in Il Piccolo Principe by Pierangelo Valtinoni. Rivera, who was born and raised in the lovely island of Puerto Rico, always saw music and his singing as his super power. Bullied for having such a high voice, his singing gave him the confidence and passion to continue to follow his dreams.
Beginnings...
Bruno started his vocal studies in The Puerto Rico Music Conservatory at the age of 14 where he did a pre-college program concentration in voice and was part of the Children's Choir. After graduating highschool, Rivera continued his studies at the conservatory of music of Puerto Rico this time working on his Bachelor's Degree where he worked with teachers Elizabeth Pachecco Rose, Justino Diaz, William Woodruff and Ilca Lopez.
The Windy City...
He moved out of Puerto Rico to continue his studies with countertenor Mark Crayton at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. During his time in Chicago he was able to perform with many Chicago storefront opera companies. Most notable performances are: Cecilio from Mozart's Lucio Silla with the Chicago Summer Opera, Transgressive Theatre-Opera’s 2018-2019 season as Isolier from Rossini's Comte Ory, Plaintiff in Trial by Jury and The Voice on the Record in The Consul. He was also Soprano soloist for the Chicago Arts Orchestra’s modern world premier of Ignacio Jerusalem Mass in G Major which was professionally recorded and in consideration for a Grammy nomination.
This Modern World...
Rivera also has performed in numerous modern works such as: Grindr in Grindr the Opera with Chicago Pride Films & Plays of which received raving reviews: “Powerful Soprano” - Chicago Reader, “Pitch perfect, and ready for the big stage in opera” - Around the Town Chicago, and “Sparkling, supple vocals” - New City Stage. Rivera has also performed as Mary Sunshine in Chicago the Musical with the Virginia Musical Theater Company, Big Noise Theater and an upcoming performance with the Het Theaterhuis in Amsterdam.
Reviews
“DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR… FULL-THROATED HIGH NOTES THAT RANG IN THE EARS…EXCITING YOUNG ARTIST TO WATCH… UNIQUE TALENTS” - VOCAL ARTS CHICAGO
“Captivated by his voice… Pitch perfect, and ready for the big stage in opera… That voice made for a perfect show” - Around the Town Chicago
“Rivera is a Powerful Soprano… the only opera-level performance” - Chicago Reader
“Bruno Rivera’s Sparkling, supple vocals bring the opera to the party… Rivera’s multiple octaves steal hearts on both sides of the stage.” - New City Stage
Resume
Second Soprano
Catch Bruno Rivera as the second soprano with the Chicago Arts Orchestra. Album Ignacio Jerusalem’s Mass in G Major “de los Niños”
Mary Sunshine
Bruno Rivera as Mary Sunshine. Virginia Musical Theater’s Production of Chicago
Stage Work
Full Roles
Piccolo Principe, Il Piccolo Principe (P. Valtinoni)-Societa Operaia, 2023
Mary Sunshine, Chicago (Kander)-Happy Ever After Production, 2023
Strophe, Army of Lovers (M. Springer)-Playground Theatre London, 2022
Betto (and Gianni Schicchi trio), Gianni Schicchi (Puccini)-Flehite Sinfoniëtta Amersfoort, 2022
Cecilio, Lucio Silla (Mozart)-Chicago Summer Opera, 2021
Norina, Don Pasquale (Donizetti)-Opera Modo, 2020(Postponed)
Mary Sunshine, Chicago (Kander)-Virginia Music Theater, 2020
Voice on the Record, The Consul (Menotti)-Transgressive Theatre-Opera, 2019
Grindr, Grindr The Opera (Erik Ransom)-Pride Films & Plays, 2019
Isolier*, Le Comte Ory (Rossini)-Transgressive Theatre-Opera, 2019
Plaintiff, Trial by Jury (Sullivan)-Transgressive Theatre-Opera, 2018
Mary Sunshine, Chicago (Kander)-Big Noise Theater, 2018
Scenes
Rossina, Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini)-Transgressive Theatre-Opera, 2019
Miles, Turn of the Screw (Britten)-New Moon Opera, 2018
Malika, Lakme (Delibes)-New Moon Opera, 2018
Annio, La Clemenza di Tito (Mozart)-Chicago Vocal Arts Consortium, 2018
Nerone, L'incoronazione di Poppea (Monteverdi)-Chicago Vocal Arts Consortium, 2018
Sesto, Giulio Cesare (Handel)-Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico, 2008
CONCERT Performance
Alto Soloist, Rossini’s Stabat Mater - Camerata di Bardi van Netherlands, 2022
Elnara, Belcanto Meets Tango - Camerata di Bardi van Netherlands, 2022
Countertenor I, The Song of the Blue Heron - Chicago Fringe Opera, 2021
Alto Soloist, Handel’s Messiah - Fox Valley Orchestra, 2019
Second Soprano Soloist, Mass in G Major (Jerusalem)-Chicago Arts Orchestra, 2019
Soloist, That’s So Gay - Uptown Underground, 2017
Duet, Ave Maria - Chicago Temple, 2016
Soloist (Gabrié), Concierto the Zarzuela - PR Conservatory of Music Opera, 2008
Alto Soloist, Gloria (Antonio Vivaldi) - PR Conservatory of Music, 2006
Soloist, Cantata BWV 142 (Bach)- PR Conservatory of Music, 2004
CHORAL EXPERIENCE
Thompson Street Opera, These Wings Are Meant to Fly (Steven Serpa)-2021
KJR Studio Production, Die Fledermaus (Johann Strauss)-2020
New Moon Opera, Il Campanello/Gianni Schicchi (Donizetti/Puccini)-2019
Up A Tree, Amahl and the Night Visitors (Menotti)-2017
Main Street Opera, Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci (Mascagni/Leoncavallo)-2017
Teatro de la Ópera, L’elisir d’amore (Donizetti)- 2008
Casals Festival, Daphnis et Chloé (Ravel)- 2007
Ópera de Puerto Rico, Aida (Verdi)-2006
Casals Festival, Requiem Mass (Verdi)-2006
Teatro de la Opera, Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci (Mascagni/Leoncavallo)-2004
Teatro de la Opera, Tosca (Puccini)-2003
