Timothy Oliver

Ensemble: (Former) Semperoper Dresden (2005–2018)

Freelancer: Komische Oper Berlin, Bayreuth Festival, Salzburg Osterfestspiele, Teatro Carlo Felice Genova

Tenor Timothy Oliver began his career as a member of the Soloist Ensemble at the Semperoper Dresden, where he performed for over a decade. His extensive repertoire with the house included more than 70 roles across 60 productions, such as the Steuermann in Der fliegende Holländer, Brighella and the Tanzmeister in Ariadne auf Naxos, Pedrillo in Die Entführung aus dem Serail, and Camille de Rosillon in Die lustige Witwe. His performance as the 2nd Soldier in Henze’s We Come to the River was notably praised by Die Welt as “the strongest vocal performance of the evening.” Since 2015, Mr. Oliver has been a regular guest at the Komische Oper Berlin, appearing in productions including Satyagraha, Die Zauberflöte, and Kát’a Kabanová, as well as in Barry Kosky’s Eugen Onegin and Candide. In 2024, he debuted as Max in Der Freischütz at the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden.

Mr. Oliver is a native of Norfolk, Virginia, and received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, graduating magna cum laude in 2001 and 2003. He performed lead roles with the Ohio Light Opera during his studies and took part in prominent young artist programs, including those of the Central City Opera and the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. At Central City, he sang the title role in Robin Hood and was the recipient of the John Moriarty Award.

Highlights of Mr. Oliver’s guest engagements include his 2008 debut at the Bayreuth Festival as the Vierte Knappe in Parsifal, followed by Ulrich Eislinger in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. He has since performed at major venues including the Alte Oper Frankfurt, where he appeared in Carmina Burana, and the Salzburg Osterfestspiele as Habinnas in Maderna’s Satiricon. Mr. Oliver maintains a longstanding collaboration with conductor Fabio Luisi, under whose baton he has sung Faust in La damnation de Faust at the Vienna Musikverein and the Steuermann in Der fliegende Holländer at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Other appearances under Luisi’s direction include performances with the Vienna Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra, and the Accademia di Santa Cecilia.

Mr. Oliver has also developed a significant reputation as an interpreter of Bach, frequently performing the Weihnachtsoratorium, Johannes-Passion, and Matthäus-Passion. His Wagnerian repertoire has expanded to include roles such as Loge in Das Rheingold and Mime in Siegfried, both of which he debuted at the Oldenburgisches Staatstheater.

Engagements for the 2024–2025 season include his debut as Merkur in Die Liebe der Danae at the Teatro Carlo Felice Genova, as well as ongoing appearances at the Semperoper Dresden as a guest, including Monostatos in Die Zauberflöte, the 2. Jude in Salome, and the Alchemist-Sultan in a concert performance of Candide.