Theodor Carlson
Baritone
Teaching Philosophy
Every singer develops along a unique path, and an environment that nurtures both technical and artistic growth is essential. Effective teaching balances structured training with space for individual expression, ensuring that each student gains the skills and confidence to refine their voice and artistry.
I focus on building consistency in breath support, resonance, vowel formation, diction, legato, and overall musicianship. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method, I tailor exercises to address individual challenges, allowing singers to develop a free and healthy sound. Equally important is the ability to connect emotionally with text, using storytelling to enhance vocal expression.
Understanding a singer’s artistic goals is key to guiding their development. Whether preparing for a recital, refining repertoire, or auditioning at a professional level, training should be both practical and aspirational. By expanding technical and interpretative skills, singers gain the versatility needed to adapt to different musical and professional demands.
Fundamental technique is not an end in itself but a means to unlock artistic expression. A secure foundation allows singers to make informed choices, embodying music with both discipline and imagination. My goal as an instructor is to create a challenging yet supportive environment where students feel empowered to explore their voices, deepen their artistry, and confidently take their place in the musical world.
Baritone Theodor Carlson has performed in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, and Switzerland. Known for compelling operatic interpretations of Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Richard Strauss, and Wagner roles, Carlson’s Zurich opera debut and winning First Prize at the Verviers International Singing Competition launched a distinguished career. Notably, he appeared as Der Fliegende Holländer in Dame Gwyneth Jones’ acclaimed production and as Verrina in the world premiere of Édouard Lalo’s Fiesque. With over 60 opera roles to his credit, including title roles in Don Giovanni, Rigoletto, Falstaff, Macbeth, Zar und Zimmerman, Don Quijote, Gianni Schicchi, Joseph Süß, and Danton’s Tod, as well as The Flying Dutchman, Carlson has graced the stages of Teatro del Liceu, the National Theaters in Weimar and Mannheim, State Theaters including the Gärtnerplatz Theater in Munich, as well as those in Karlsruhe, Braunschweig, Mainz, and Schwerin. He has also performed at the City Theaters in Aachen, Hildesheim, Hameln, Lübeck, Kiel, Krefeld, Koblenz, Giessen, Heidelberg, Regensburg, Würzburg, and Bremerhaven, as well as at the Santa Fe Opera, Dallas Opera, and Detroit Opera. Carlson has been featured in opera festivals such as Schwetzingen, Eutin, Gut Immling, and the Munich Biennale.
As a concert soloist, Carlson has performed in live and broadcast concerts with orchestras such as the Frankfurt Philharmonic, Stuttgart Philharmonic, Munich Symphony Orchestra, Heidelberg Philharmonic, Chamber Orchestra of Wernigerode, Rhein-Ruhr Philharmonic, Baden-Baden Philharmonic, Thüringen Philharmonic, Johann Strauss Orchestra of Frankfurt, the Sofia National Radio Orchestra, Staatskapelle Weimar, Badische Staatskapelle, Eschweiler Bach Cantorei Orchestra, Westdeutscher Rundfunk Orchestra, Südwestrundfunk Orchestra, the German Radio-Saarbrücken Orchestra, the Radio Television Luxembourg Orchestra, Detroit Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, and Arlington Symphony. His symphonic performances have taken him to prestigious venues such as the Zurich Opera House, Baden-Baden Kurhaus, Maastricht Opera House, Royal Opera of Wallonia, Wiesbaden Kurhaus, Eurogress Aachen, Heidelberg Castle, Laeiszhalle in Hamburg, Studio Club of the Y.W.C.A of Manhattan, Carnegie-, and Alice Tully Halls.
A champion of contemporary music, Theodor has collaborated with composers Gian Carlo Menotti, Detlev Glanert, Siegfried Matthus, Helge Jörns, Thilo von Westernhagen, Hans Zender, and Leroy Jenkins, creating operatic roles, CDs, and films.
Carlson studied at the University of Michigan and the Juilliard Opera Center before continuing his training with Brigitte Fassbaender in Switzerland and Giuseppe DiStefano in Rome. Theodor Carlson is a dedicated educator, sharing his expertise in voice, opera direction, and Lied interpretation at institutions such as the University of Arkansas, the Rockland Conservatory in New York, and El Musical Conservatory in Bellaterra, Spain. As Artistic Director of the art song concert series Voces Intimae, he has mentored young artists and contributed to programs such as the Dallas Opera Institute for Women Conductors.
Theodore Carlson is thrilled to collaborate with pianist Hyun Kim as the newly formed Zeitgeist Duo. Together, they are set to redefine traditional song recitals by integrating multimedia-enhanced lectures and performances. Through these innovative research experiments, the duo aims to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the great Art Song canon, creating an engaging experience that connects audiences to the timeless beauty of this music in a fresh and thought-provoking way.
