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Baritone Thomas Florio is rapidly becoming known as a versatile interpreter of classical music, who brings a strong element of theatricality to both stage and concert performances. As a member of the Wolf Trap Opera Studio in 2007 he sang Judge No. 3 in John Musto's Volpone, the recording of which was nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award (Best Opera Recording). In August of 2010 he performed the role of Dulcamara (L'elisir d'amore) as a member of the Merola Opera Program of the San Francisco Opera. His performance was applauded by the San Francisco Classical Voice, which said, "Similarly impressive was... Thomas Florio as Dulcamara, whose voice delivered true value," and "it's no wonder that Dr. Dulcamara... stole much of the show. Not only was his voice fully up to the part and capable of comedic coloring, but he was also alive, physically nimble, and on top of the meaning of almost every note."
In addition to winning First Place in the 2010 National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Award Competition, 2011 brought much success for Florio. He was awarded Second Place in the Houston Grand Opera Eleanor McCallum Competition, First Place in the Shreveport Opera Singer of the Year Competition, Second Place in the Opera Columbus Irma M. Cooper Competition, and was a District Finalist of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
In 2010 Florio made his debut with the Cincinnati Symphony, and in 2011 he joined the International Opera Studio of the Hamburg State Opera in Hamburg, Germany. His roles there include Marullo (Rigoletto), Sciarrone (Tosca), Hortensius (La fille du régiment) and Archibius (Die unglückselige Cleopatra, Königin von Egypten oder Die betrogene Staats-Liebe).
Florio's other roles include Dr. Bartolo (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Pandolfe (Cendrillon), Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), Raimondo (Lucia di Lammermoor), and Falstaff (The Merry Wives of Windsor). He is also comfortable on the musical theater stage, with roles including Giuseppe (The Light in the Piazza), Moonface Martin (Anything Goes), and Miles Gloriosus (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum). He holds the Bachelor of Music degree from James Madison University, where he studied with Dr. In Dal Choi; and the Master of Music degree from Indiana University, where he studied with Dr. Brian Horne.
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