Noted as having “a rich voice that appears to come from the centre of the earth,” Julian Close stands as one of the most critically acclaimed basses in the UK. Last season, Julian returned to The Metropolitan Opera for Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Rigoletto, and Don Carlo. Additionally, he returned to both the Scottish Opera as Simone/Talpa in Il trittico and the Longborough Opera Festival for their long-awaited. This season marks his return to The Royal Opera House at Covent Garden for their production of Das Rheingold as well as his highly anticipated return to Longborough Opera Festival. Recently, Mr. Close made his long-awaited house début at Covent Garden in The Magic Flute, joined The MET for Das Rheingold, Götterdämmerung, Otello, Pelleas et Melisande, and Rigoletto, and made his house début at Opéra de Montréal as Fasolt in Das Rheingold. He also performed the role of Don Juan in From the House of the Dead with Welsh National Opera. He first joined The MET roster in 2011 for their production of Der Ring des Nibelungen and has returned subsequently every season. Additional recent engagements include Don Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia with the Longborough Festival and a return to Welsh National Opera for Moses und Aron and Nabucco.
Julian Close
BassPreviously for Longborough: Hagen/Götterdämmerung (2023), Don Basilio/Il barbiere di Siviglia (2014), Fafner/Ring cycle (2013), Fafner/Siegfried (2011), Fafner/Das Rheingold (2007), Il commendatore/Don Giovanni (2006)