ABOUT

German baritone, Dennis Chmelensky, joins Washington National Opera as a member of the Cafritz Young Artist Program for the 2020-21 season.

Praised for his “strikingly individual timbre” (Philadelphia Magazine) and “his moving, rich baritone accompanied by real acting” (Phindie), Dennis recently performed the title role Don Giovanni in a Curtis/Opera Philadelphia co-production under the baton of Karina Canellakis, and later in Mexico City and León, Guanajuato.

In 2020, Dennis made his debut in Russia performing in the Opera for Peace — Leading Young Voices of the World Gala. Dennis is a 2018 Opera Awards career grant recipient. His debut album, DENNIS, was released in 2009 by Sony Music. 

Chmelensky emerged as the evening’s unquestionable discovery. His superbly produced lyric baritone lifted the already stellar production to the musical stratosphere, while never sacrificing a connection to the text for mere tonal beauty."