June 6 at 7pm at the Pinckney Center for the Arts on the COCC Campus, LaGrange native and opera singer, David Malis, will perform. Malis will be joined onstage by the OperaBend Chorus and Central Oregon soloists Christine Keever, Debra Leonard, Nancy Engebretson, Trish Sewell, Jason Stein, Dan Glover and Scott Carroll.
According to writer Melanie Ruberti the first thing you might notice about David Malis is his powerful, baritone voice. That voice that has won him several awards, and allowed him to share the stage with some of the most well known opera singers in the world.
“I think the thing you’re supposed to do with your life has a tendency to find you. Instead of you finding it,” Malis said.
The love of music found its way in to David’s heart very early in life. His dad was a singer and the Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of LaGrange until 1987. His mom was also a singer and a pianist, that frequently accompanied her son during auditions and concerts. David’s passion for music quickly grew.
After graduating from LaGrange High School, Malis became a instrumental music major at the University of Georgia. But that quickly changed.
From there, Malis studied for four years at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music before beginning his professional career with the San Francisco Opera in 1982. After that, at the age of 25, Malis’s career took off. He sang with the Metropolitan Opera in New York for 12 seasons. He shared the stage with well known vocalists such as Italian opera singer, Luciano Pavarotti, and Australian soprano, Dame Joan Sutherland.
Malis’ career took him around the globe. He sang for the King and Queen of Sweden in their royal palace. He’s performed in some of the most famous opera houses in the world, including: La Scala in Milan, Italy, Wales, London, Paris, Greece, Hong Kong, Vienna, Rome and New York. All told, Malis said he’s performed in 27 different countries and in 38 of the United States.
“I basically lived out of a suitcase from the time I was 27 until I was in my 40’s,” Malis said.
And his accolades grew. Malis was the first American to win the prestigious “Cardiff Singer of the World” competition in Cardiff, Wales.
Artist Reception Gala immediately following performance ($69 Gala & concert reserved seating)
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