Emiliano Barragan

Venezuelan lyric-baritone Emiliano Barragán began his musical studies in piano at the age of twelve in Caracas, where he was born in 1978. Once he completed his studies in Venezuela at the Juan José Landaeta Conservatory, he moves to Montreal, Canada, where he continues his musical training at McGill University and piano studies with concert pianist Gabriela Montero.

In 2000, after two months of private vocal studies, he auditioned for Professor Winston Purdy, and William Neil - head of the Opera program department – who after discovering his unique natural talent for voice admitted him immediately to become part of McGill’s performance program under the guidance of Winston Purdy.

At the end of his first semester he was invited to sing the solo parts for a recording of Maurice Duruflé’s “Requien” made by the church of Saint Andrew and Saint Paul in Montreal in January of 2001. Thanks to the success of the event, he was hired to sing in April of the same year the solo parts in Handel’s “Messiah”.

2002 was a year of intense professional activity. In march he played the main role of Figaro from Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” with “L’atelier d’opéra”  of L’Université de Québec á Montréal (UQAM), makin his debut at Pierre Mercure Hall. In July he makes his Germany debut singing the main role of Don Giovanni from Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” with the Komische Kammer Oper of Munich, performing the opera fifteen times. In August he sang on the same night two short Buffa Operas: the role of Uberto from Pergolesi’s “La Serva Padrona”, and the role of Ben from Menotti’s “The Telephone” in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

In march of 2003 was invited again to sing the role of Escamillo from Bizet’s “Carmen” with L’atelier d’opéra de L’université of Québec á Montréal”

After exploring composition engagements, he moves to the United States of America where he spends two years working as a full time composer.

In 2005 participates in Galas and recitals as part of the University of Miami Vocal Program as well as a piano accompanist for the Voice School. Later in march of 2006 he was invited by the University of Miami to sing the role of Belcore from Donizetti’s “L’elisir D’amore”. Later in April of 2006 he was awarded the Constance Weldon Scholarship to continue further vocal training at University of Miami as well as the highest Scholarship awarded by the Ministry of Culture of Venezuela for outstanding merits.

In may of 2007 he is moving to England to complete his Masters in Opera singing at the Royal College of Music in London.

He has participated in Master Classes with Kamel Boutros (New York), Eduardo del Campo (Spain), Robert Savoir, Lucile Evans and Colette Bocky, (Montreal), Owen Gilhooly (London) and he is presently studying with baritone David Malis.