Stanford Olsen, who made his Metropolitan Opera début on an hour's notice as Arturo in I Puritani opposite the legendary soprano Dame Joan Sutherland, has established himself as one of the world's outstanding artists.
             
In the 2008-09 season, Stanford Olsen sings the role of Le Lépreux in Messiaen’s rarely performed opera Saint- François d’Assise, with the Montréal Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Kent Nagano. In addition, he will appear in recital with pianist Kenneth Griffiths at the Kennedy Center, presented by the Vocal Arts Society and sing the tenor soloist in Haydn’s The Creation with the Handel and Haydn Society.

Recent and notable engagements include:  Aegisth in Elektra at the Maggio Musicale in Florence under Seiji Ozawa, Lelio by Berlioz with San Francisco Symphony, the Bach B- minor Mass with Seattle Symphony and also Carmina Burana with the St. Louis Symphony. Highlights of last season include performances of Britten’s Cantata Academica and the Schubert Mass in G, and the Mozart Requiem, in two separate concerts with the Cincinnati Symphony; Messiah with San Diego Symphony and San Antonio Symphony; and the Bach B-minor Mass with Cleveland Symphony, and also Carmina Burana with Seattle Symphony.

Mr. Olsen appears in Haydn's The Creation on May 31. Mr. Olsen last appeared with the Society in 1991 for the performances of Haydn's The Seasons.