Veteran bass David Avshalomov is noted for his strong and nuanced voice, wide range, stylistic accomplishment, and emotional renditions. He brings to his own music and the music of others the sensibilities, interpretation, and expression of a mature vocal artist.
Avshalomov got his early vocal training with his mother Doris (who studied operatic voice at Eastman), music teacher Nell Givler, choral conductors George Bell (Lincoln HS) and John Ferris (Harvard University Choir), and with Glenn Carlos in Los Angeles. He was tapped early as a vocal soloist (in grade school in Manhattan). As a boy in Portland, Oregon, he learned the joys of madrigal singing at home and sang in school choruses as a young tenor. He performed in Gilbert and Sullivan productions in middle school and in musicals such as Flower Drum Song and Sound of Music at Lincoln High School. As a teenager he also sang a season with the Munich Motettenchor. At Harvard he was a professional chorister and a frequent oratorio and motet soloist and madrigalist. He served a tour of duty with the top USAF Band (HQ DC) as a vocalist in the Singing Sergeants.
Solo/Opera
Avshalomov has performed regularly as bass soloist in major choral works and worship services. He also enjoys guest appearances singing his own song cycles (with orchestra or piano), and he has presented recitals of songs in a variety of genres. Local stage roles included Historicus in Carissimi’s Jepthe with Camerata of Long beach, the Commendatore in Redlands Opera Theatre’s 2016 production of Don Giovanni, and Frere Laurent in Center Stage Opera’s 2017 production of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette.
Chorister (Bass)
David has long worked as a freelance chorister/section leader with such groups as C3LA (Contemporary Choral Collective), the De Angelis Vocal Ensemble, Anglican Chorale of Southern California, Cantori Domino, Vox Pro, Temple Sha’arei Am, Temple Israel of Hollywood, and Camerata Singers of Long Beach.
As a chorister he serves best as a low bass (II).
(low range to B)
(Haydn, Qui Tollis, Lord Nelson Mass/in concert – David Willcocks, conductor)
(Bach, Der Heiland, St. Matthew Passion/in concert)
(Steinberg, Esa Einai, High Holy Days-Yizkor/bima)
Avshalomov – Songs of Life/Death (Dickinson), 1-7
Conclusion (8-9)
Avshalomov – The Ceremony of Innocence (Yeats)
Avshalomov – Ozymandias (Shelley)
Gershwin, I Got Plenty o’ Nothin’, Porgy & Bess
“Bow to His Daughter-in-Law Elect/My Object All Sublime”, G&S, Mikado, Center Stage Opera, Valley College Symphony
“A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One”, G&S, Pirates of Penzance,
Center Stage Opera, Valley College Symphony (For correct tempo, YouTube Settings/Speed 1.25)
REVIEWS
“. . . soloist David Avshalomov, a veteran local bass, gave a completely satisfying performance . . . top-drawer . . .. individuality, musicality . . . highest professional standard.”
Camerata Does Justice By Messiah—Jim Ruggirello, Long Beach Gazette, Dec. 12, 2009
“Basso David Avshalomov as the Historicus narrator stood out for the vividness of his acting as well as for his distinguished vocalism.” [In Giacomo Carissimi’s “Historia de Jephte” with Camerata Singers of Long Beach/Istad]
Jim Ruggirello, Long Beach Gazette, March 24, 2010
“With every good wish to David, from another David, who was very grateful for this solo! . . . beautiful voice, right in tune, sang it straight and true.”
[Inscription in David Avshalomov’s score from Sir David Willcocks after he conducted Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass” with Cantori Domino, Santa Monica, in which DA stepped in at the last minute to sing the bass solos, May 2009 ]
REFERENCES
Lauri Goldenhersh, proprieter, Laurislist.com
James Person, Founding Conductor, Anglican Chorale of Southern Califonia
(For singing engagements please use the CONTACT form below)