Described as an "amazing tenor" possessing "an impossibly clear tone and lyrical sensitivity," American-born Lawrence Wiliford is quickly gaining international recognition on both the concert and operatic stage. Making his Canadian Opera Company leading role debut in Mozart's Cosi fan tutte on five hours' notice, he received critical acclaim as "a talented and lyric tenor," "serving up an impressive Ferrando." On the concert stage he has been noted as "animated, exciting, and yet at the same time technically unimpeachable."

Highlights of Mr. Wiliford's 2008-2009 season include a return appearance with The National Arts Centre Orchestra for performances of Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass under the direction of Pinchas Zukerman and his debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in a concert version of Mozart's Die Zauberflöte under the direction of Bernard Labadie. In addition he makes his debut with the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in their annual concerts of Handel's Messiah. Mr. Wiliford returns to Toronto¹s Opera Atelier as Pedrillo in their new production of Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio, and to the Canadian Opera Company as Francis Flute in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Mr. Wiliford is also featured on Suzie Leblanc's recording of works by Messiaen (ATMA Classique) and the Aradia Ensemble's recording of Samuel Arnold's Polly (NAXOS), both to be released this season.

Recent orchestral highlights include Bach's B Minor Mass with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Oregon Bach Festival under the direction of Helmuth Rilling, Bach's Weihnachts-Oratorium with The National Arts Centre Orchestra under the direction of Trevor Pinnock, Bach's Matthäus Passion with the Toronto Bach Consort under the direction of Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Bach¹s Johannes Passion with the Grand Philharmonic Choir of Kitchener-Waterloo, Bach's Oster Oratorium with the Toronto Bach Consort, Bach's Magnificat with Orchestra London, Handel's Ode for St. Cecilia¹s Day with The Victoria Symphony, Handel¹s Solomon with The Elora Festival and Haydn's Die Schöpfung and Mendelssohn's Lobgesang with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.

Opera highlights from recent seasons include his debut at Festival Vancouver in the title role of Rameau¹s Pygmalion and appearances with Toronto's Opera Atelier as Eumete in Monteverdi's Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria, with Opera Lyra Ottawa as Count Almaviva in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia and with Pacific Opera Victoria as Leo in the Canadian premiere of Mark Blitzstein's Regina. With the Canadian Opera Company he created the role of Roy in James Rolfe's opera Swoon; Opera Now noted that his "Roy showed a singer-actor with a real talent for comedy."

Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Mr. Wiliford grew up in many towns throughout Michigan, Wisconsin and New York. At the age of 10 he became a member of the American Boychoir School in Princeton, New Jersey, where his passion for music and singing was nourished for several years under the leadership of James Litton, ultimately steering him into a career in music. While a student at St. Olaf College he sang with the St. Olaf Choir, became a published choral arranger and was one of the founding members of the internationally acclaimed male vocal chamber ensemble Cantus, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Mr. Wiliford is a recipient of grants for emerging artists and professional development from the Canada Council for the Arts and has studied at Tanglewood, the Internationale Bachakademie of Stuttgart, and the Steans Institute at the Ravinia Festival. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Church Music from St. Olaf College, a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Toronto and is a recent graduate of the Canadian Opera Company's prestigious Ensemble Studio.

August, 2008