John Ramseyer
Tenor
Praised for his “hypnotically lyrical” voice (Parterre Box), New York City-based tenor John Ramseyer specializes in concert and chamber music, as well as opera, having collaborated with many of New York’s finest ensembles, including the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the American Classical Orchestra, New York Baroque Incorporated, and Camerata New York. In May of 2023, John made his Carnegie Hall debut singing the tenor solos in Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil with the Clarion Choir, led by Steven Fox. This performance follows the release of the Clarion Choir’s GRAMMY®-nominated recording of the All-Night Vigil on the Pentatone label, for which he provided the tenor solos. The Arts Desk describes Ramseyer’s solos as “exquisite” and “ecstatic”. Other recent highlights include Rachmaninoff’s The Bells with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Cathedral Choral Society, an international tour of Handel’s Solomon with The English Concert and the Clarion Choir, led by Harry Bicket, and the world premiere of Trevor Weston’s American Lamentation alongside the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys. John has performed with Musica Sacra, The Benedict Sixteen Choir, The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, The New Consort, Astoria Choir, St. George’s Choral Society, Forest Hills Choir, as well as the UK chamber choir, Vasari Singers, in a live-streamed celebration of the works of Marcel Dupré.
Well-versed in operatic repertoire spanning the eras, Mr. Ramseyer has performed leading roles with The Bronx Opera Company, Apotheosis Opera, Resonanz Opera, Christman Opera Company, The Midwest Institute of Opera, and LoftOpera. Ramseyer received a master’s degree in vocal performance from Mannes School of Music. Previous roles include Tamino (Die Zauberflöte), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Aeneas (Dido and Aeneas), Lysander (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Fenton (Falstaff), Fenton (Sir John in Love), Bill (Flight), Laurence (Little Women), and L’Aumonier (Diaglogues of the Carmelites). John is also a member of the Metropolitan Opera Extra Chorus, performing in recent productions including Britten’s Peter Grimes, Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer, and a concert of Brahms’s Ein deutches Requiem at Carnegie Hall. He performed in the chorus on two of The Met’s most recent GRAMMY-nominated live recording albums: A Concert for Ukraine and Verdi’s Requiem: The Met Remembers 9/11.
Having been brought up with a tremendous passion for ensemble singing, Ramseyer is also privileged to be a Gentleman of the Choir at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, as part of the world-renowned Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys, under the musical direction of Dr. Jeremy Filsell. Boasting robust and eclectic concert seasons, the choir frequently collaborates with Orchestra of St. Luke’s, as well as New York Baroque Incorporated. In December 2023, the choir released an album of works by William Byrd, marking the 400th anniversary of his death. Additionally, Ramseyer is featured on another new album from the choir, No Small Wonder: Music for the Christmas Season. As a choral ensemble member, John has sung on a number of other recordings, including The Experiential Orchestra’s GRAMMY-winning recording of Dame Ethel Smyth’s masterpiece, The Prison, Poul Ruders’ premiere recording of his opera, The Thirteenth Child, as well as the premiere recording of Frank La Rocca’s Mass of the Americas, which landed at number ten on Billboard’s 2022 Traditional Classical Albums year-end chart.
Mr. Ramseyer also serves as Secretary on the Board of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation.
More at johnramseyer.com.