Jacque Trussel

Jacque Trussel is an internationally acclaimed tenor, stage director, and the Chair of Opera Performance and Vocal Studies in the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College, SUNY (1998–present). Celebrated for both his dramatic vocal interpretations and visionary stage direction, he has performed with the world’s leading opera houses and symphonies while leading Purchase Opera to national prominence.

Directorial & Academic Leadership

As Chair and Director at Purchase College, Mr. Trussel has spearheaded an era of extraordinary artistic distinction:

National Recognition: Named Stage Director of the Year by Classical Singer Magazine and awarded The American Prize in Directing.

11 First-Place Production Awards: Directed Purchase Opera to 11 first-place National Opera Association (NOA) awards for Best Production of the Year, including productions of Hänsel und Gretel, Dialogues of the Carmelites, L’incoronazione di Poppea, the New York premiere of Lee Hoiby’s The Tempest, and the original chamber opera Confession (conceived by Mr. Trussel with a libretto co-written with Margaret Vignola).

Commercial Albany Records Discography: Produced three critically acclaimed full-length commercial recordings on Albany Records—all conducted by Purchase Opera Music Director Hugh Murphy and performed by Purchase student vocalists and orchestra:

Confession: Music composed by Purchase student Raphaël Lucas (libretto by Jacque Trussel & Margaret Vignola).

Lee Hoiby’s The Tempest: Following Purchase Opera's East Coast Premiere of the work, this stands as the only complete commercial recording of the opera.

Robert Ward’s The Crucible: The first complete commercial recording of the opera since the landmark 1955 New York City Opera release.

International & Metropolitan Opera Impact: Mentored generations of singers currently anchoring major global opera houses and premier training programs:

Metropolitan Opera Programs: Alumni Sylvia D'Eramo, Christina Grohowski, and Ryan Capozzo have been selected for prestigious Metropolitan Opera programs (including the Met's elite Lindemann Young Artist Development Program).

Brian Jagde: Headlines La Scala’s opening night in the title role of Otello.

Sylvia D'Eramo: Stars in a leading role in a new production at Santa Fe Opera.

Christopher Sokolowski: Debuts as Parsifal at the Bayreuth Festival.

John Park: Rising heldentenor and recent international competition winner.

Christopher Bolduc & Bob Balonek: Enjoying major international singing careers.

Yale Placement: Nine Purchase alumni under his guidance have completed graduate degrees at the Yale School of Music.

Performance Highlights

An acclaimed interpreter of dramatic tenor repertoire, Mr. Trussel has headlined major stages across Europe and North America:

Metropolitan Opera: Debuted as Števa (Jenífa) with subsequent principal appearances as Shuisky (Boris Godunov) and Herod (Salome).

Signature Roles: Renowned for his seminal portrayals of Sergei in Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (La Scala, Opéra Bastille inaugural season, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, BBC broadcast), Peter Grimes (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; Maggio Musicale Florence under Jean-Pierre Ponnelle), Don José in Carmen (Earls Court London, New York City Opera live broadcast), and Hermann in The Queen of Spades (Spoleto Festivals USA & Italy).

World & American Premieres: Originated roles in world premieres by Carlisle Floyd (Bilby’s Doll), Thomas Pasatieri (The Seagull), and Lee Hoiby (The Tempest, PBS broadcast), as well as American premieres of Aribert Reimann’s Lear and Saint-Saëns’ Henry VIII.

Orchestral Concerts: Soloist with the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Selected Discography, Filmography & Live Broadcasts

Live Broadcasts & Telecasts:

Bizet's Carmen: Featured in three major live telecasts—New York City Opera (Live from Lincoln Center), Vancouver Opera (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation / CBC System), and Stephen Pimlott's Earls Court production (Sky Channel Europe / Released on DVD by Image Entertainment).

Barber's Antony and Cleopatra: Live telecast from the Lyric Opera of Chicago (PBS).

Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk: English National Opera production broadcast live by the BBC and honored as the year's best production.

Recording & Video Honors:

Grammy Nominee:Sounds and Sweet Airs (Solo Album)

Diapason d’Or:Le Livre de la Jungle (Charles Koechlin)

Prix de l’Académie Charles Cros:Macbeth (Ernest Bloch)