William Gorton Opera Singer from Philadelphia, PA

Dr. William Gorton, tenor, has performed opera and oratorio with numerous opera companies in the USA, singing leading roles in operas such as Carmen, La Boheme, Tosca, Lucia di Lammermoor, Rigoletto, Die Fledermaus, Aida, La Cenerentola, L'elisir d'amore, etc., as well as tenor solos in oratorios like Handel's Messiah, Verdi's Requiem, Mozart's Requiem, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, Puccini's Messa di Gloria, Schubert's Mass in G, Mozart's Grand Mass in C Minor, among others. He performs at special events like weddings, fundraisers, corporate parties, memorial services, as well as doing concert work. Dr. Gorton was an Apprentice Artist with the Santa Fe Opera, and sang for the San Francisco Opera Guild. He is also a published composer, and serves as Director of Sacred Music at the Haddonfield United Methodist Church, where he conducts the New Jersey MasterChorale, which performs twice yearly with an orchestra comprised of musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra and friends. He founded the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, and received his doctorate in conducting at Arizona State University, preceded by a master's degree in Vocal Performance from Westminster Choir College. William is a versatile singer, performing beautiful classical Italian or Neapolitan songs and arias, including repertoire made popular by Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli, as well as Broadway selections, and sacred favorites. He is also a specialist in classical song literature such as German Lieder and French chanson. Among William's most requested pieces are The Lord's Prayer, Ave Maria, O Sole Mio, Torna a Surriento, Music of the Night, This is the Moment, All I Ask of You, My Funny Valentine, Stranger in Paradise, Maria, Danny Boy, Granada, Besame mucho, Core 'ngrato, Ideale, Nessun dorma, Time to Say Goodbye (Con te partiro). Many others are available, and William is happy to work with you to fulfill any special requests. Reviews of past performances: “A beautiful true tenor. Throbbing vitality.” --Marilyn Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle “Gorton was a marvel as Don Jose. He gives the role a truly tragic stature rather than the irresponsible loser that character can sometimes appear. His voice is strong, well-nuanced and communicative.” --Sherman Spencer, The Stockton Record “One did not have to wait for tenor William Gorton to deliver the goods. From his first entrance, this promising young singer commanded both the music and the stage, never so fine as in Edgardo's two beautiful arias in the final scene.” --Suzanne Weiss, The Times, San Mateo “No one epitomizes that wonderful combination of voice and humor better than William Gorton as Rinuccio.” --Tim Fish, Santa Rosa Press Democrat “William Gorton, a tall, handsome young tenor, gave a promising performance as Lionel...realistic acting, an obvious inner confidence. His rendering of M'appari was brilliant and warm.” --Robert A. Masullo, The Sacramento Bee “Gorton offered a beautifully shaded O sole mio, delivered with clarity and passion, as was his encore, Return to Sorrento.” --Mary Wallis, Napa Valley Register “Tenor William Gorton...brought down the house with his soaring rendition of No Puede Ser.” --Marilyn LaRocque, Napa Valley Register “He has a ringing tenor voice and a command of bel canto style that could even make viable the final scene, which often seems an unneeded appendage.” --Sherman Spencer, the Stockton Record , on Lucia di Lammermoor “The production's strongest fusion of vocal and dramatic strength comes from William Gorton as Edgardo, the tragedy's other victim. His presence is virile, his voice is big and true, and his gestures, expressions and movements follow the basic rule that Shakespeare laid down in 'Hamlet': 'Suit the action to the word...'” --Leo Stutzin, on Lucia, the Modesto Bee William, you were wonderful in the role of Rodolfo... our audiences were totally captivated.. Many members of our orchestra and audience were moved to tears during your performance. --cheers, Joyce [Johnson-Hamilton, Diablo Symphony] “William Gorton, a Bay Area vocalist who has been heard locally in several operatic roles, was literally a last minute replacement for ailing tenor John De Haan. Almost incredibly, Gorton learned this extended and difficult work from scratch in two days and performed it with style, conviction and elegant musicality...he sang with the aplomb of a seasoned interpreter.” --Sherman Spencer, The Stockton Record, on Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, with the Stockton Symphony.

• The Lord's Prayer
• When You Say You Love Me | Groban
• You Raise Me Up
• Time to Say Goodbye (Con te partiro)
• Music of the Night
• Ave Maria (Schubert or Bach-Gounod)
• Panis Angelicus (Bread of Angels)
• All I Ask of You
• The Flower Song from Carmen
• My Funny Valentine
• On the Street Where You Live
• This is the Moment
• Stranger in Paradise
• Wind Beneath My Wings
• Maria
• I Only Have Eyes for You
• Be My Love
• Tonight
• Some Enchanted Evening
• Danny Boy
• Granada
• One Hand, One Heart (West Side Story)
• Somewhere (There's a Place for Us)
• Blue Skies
• Besame Mucho
• No Puede Ser
• O Sole Mio
• Torna a Surriento
• A Vucchella
• Marechiare
• Core 'ngrato
• Ideale
• Funiculi funicula
• Nessun dorma
• Fenesta che lucive
• Others Upon Request