From: Southern California. LA Opera: Bernard Curson (Cherubino) in ¡Figaro! (90210) (2015); numerous Connects performances including the title role of Orpheus (by Nathan Wang) and Dick Johnson in The Prospector.
“Orson Van Gay II was an ardent Alfredo...his sound was fluent and his high notes golden.” - Maria Nockin, Broadway World
Operatic tenor Orson Van Gay II possesses a unique voice that captivates the audience with his charisma and command of the stage for a singer of his generation. His performances showcase vocal talents that have brought him constant recognition in Southern California and across the United States.
Recent and Upcoming:
In the 2021 COVID-affected season, Mr. Van Gay joined Long Beach Opera for their production of Les Enfants Terribles as Gérard. He was slated to perform the role of Virtue and Lucano in Comet/Poppea this summer (cancelled). In the 2019/20 season, he created the role of Raymond Santana in the world première of Anthony Davis’s Central Park Five with Long Beach Opera and made his role debut as Rodolfo in La Bohème with Pacific Opera Project. ("Orson Van Gay II’s top notes were thrilling...” OperaWire)
He debuted as Nemorino with the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice and sang the romantic lead of the Young Man in Last Romance with Kansas New Theater. (“Van Gay II is one of the finest operatic tenors I have had the pleasure of hearing in a very long time.” Broadway World)
Equally at home as a recitalist, Mr. Van Gay has appeared with the Portsmouth Community Concert, Inc. (VA), the Rio Hondo College and at Carnegie Hall in a recital with Wang Wei.
Mr. Van Gay has sung extensively with LA Opera in many venues including the Connects “City of Hope” “IAMLA" series. He debuted the role of Bernard Curson (aka “Cherubino”) in the world première of ¡Figaro! (90210) with the company and was Ramerrez in The Prospector in two different seasons. Other operatic roles include Alfredo in La Traviata, Ben in The Night of the Living Dead and the title roles of Candide and Orpheus.
He joined the Cal Philharmonic Orchestra in celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s 100th anniversary and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 as tenor soloist at Walt Disney Concert Hall. In his review, George van Wagner stated that he was “beautifully sung and strongly acted...audience members were visibly moved.” He has sung the haunting role of Orlando in The Industry’s nationally acclaimed production of Hopscotch. In addition to performing in the romantic and Germanic languages of opera, Mr. Van Gay was selected to perform in Mandarin last season making his debut with SINO U.S. Performing Arts Organization as tenor soloist for their concert series with performances in Los Angeles and in Phoenix, Arizona.
He premiered Nathan Wang's Golden, a composition based on the life of Polish composer Ignacy Jan Paderewski in Los Angeles and sang the role of Prince in the world première of Ricky Ian Gordon’s Morning Star.
He holds a bachelor of science in Vocal Performance from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia and has been honored by the NATS organization on several occasions. As a native of southern California, Mr. Van Gay is also an actor in several nationally recognized television series.
He has been featured in major television commercials and starred on a variety of shows for Netflix; including foreign film and television. In 2020 he co-starred on the Disney series Coop and Cami Ask the World.
Learn more at OrsonVanGay.com.
