Christian Van Horn

With his powerful instrument and commanding stage presence, Van horn has been hailed by The New York Times as “a bass-baritone of uncommon agility and power,” with a versatility that allows him to embody a variety of compelling roles, ranging from Méphistophélès to Don Giovanni.

The 2024/25 season promises to be another tour de force as he stars as the Four Villains in Offenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffmann at The Metropolitan Opera, with a Live in HD broadcast in October. Other engagements include the title role in Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Esa-Pekka Salonen, his greatly anticipated role debut as Philippe II in Verdi’s Don Carlos at the Opéra national de Paris, Escamillo in Bizet’s Carmen for both San Francisco Opera and Royal Ballet and Opera, and his title role debut in Verdi’s Attila, presented in concert at the Teatro Real.

Last season, Van Horn brought his “vocally resplendent and dramatically compelling” (San Francisco Chronicle) voice to the title role of Bluebeard’s Castle at Carnegie Hall and on tour throughout Asia with Elīna Garanča, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and Music Director Yannick Nézet-Seguin. He made his Wiener Staatsoper debut in the title role of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and later sang the role in concert at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées.

Van Horn also returned to the Opéra national de Paris as the Four Villains in Les Contes d’Hoffmann, which he later sang in a new production at the Salzburg Festival. In the spring he returned to Paris where he made his title role debut in the new Damiano Michieletto production of Massenet’s Don Quichotte. “In an enviable state of vocal health and with a virile physical presence” (Platea Magazine), his singular interpretation of this beloved character was celebrated for the many moments where his “power blends with vulnerability” (Le Monde). Additionally last season he performed at The Metropolitan Opera (Colline in Puccini’s La bohème), Bayerische Staatsoper (Raimondo in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor), Opera Philadelphia (Fiesco in Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra), and the Richard Tucker Gala Concert at Carnegie Hall.

A frequent and beloved presence at The Metropolitan Opera, Van Horn has starred in numerous productions, including the title role of Boito’s rarely performed Mefistofele with The New York Times proclaiming “Long may he reign in hell.” He has also thrilled global audiences through the Met’s popular Live in HD series, including star turns in Wozzeck, Lucia di Lammermoor, Die Zauberflöte, Falstaff and The Exterminating Angel. The Guardian hailed him as “a revelation” in these broadcasts.

Previous roles at Lyric Opera of Chicago include Méphistophélès in a new production of Faust and Silva in Verdi’s Ernani, where he “delivered the finest vocalism of the night, wielding his sonorous bass-baritone with agility in vitriolic moments and singing with consummate grace in his arias” (Chicago Classical Review). Past seasons at San Francisco Opera featured the Four Villains in Hoffmann, Narbal in Berlioz’ Les Troyens, Oroveso in Bellini’s Norma, and Claggart in Britten’s Billy Budd. Throughout his career, Van Horn has performed more than one hundred times each on the stages of The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, and Bayerische Staatsoper.

Beyond the opera stage, Van Horn’s concert performances have dazzled audiences worldwide. He has collaborated with renowned orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic, gracing prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall to the Salzburg Festival. His rich, resonant instrument has made him a champion of recorded music as well, including the title role in Le Nozze di Figaro on Sony Classical. His many accolades include the 2018 Richard Tucker Award and top honors in the Metropolitan Opera National Council competition.

Born in Rockville Centre, New York, Van Horn earned his Bachelor of Music from the State University of New York at Stony Brook before attending the Yale School of Music, where he received both his Master’s degree and Artist Diploma. He is also an alumnus of the prestigious Lyric Opera of Chicago Ryan Opera Center.