"When
you think of opera, the word modern doesn't usually follow. Bulent
Guneralp... is changing the way we
think about this centuries-old art form. Guneralp is anything but a
stereotypical opera singer... He isn't
merely an opera singer, but a well-rounded musician. He has performed
Broadway pieces, jazz solos, spirituals, and even contemporary pop
songs, which he says inform his interpretation of even the most
classical roles in opera. This approach to opera may be what draws
crowds who aren't as familiar with the genre... This opera singer, who says his
favorite music ranges from that of the heavy metal 80s band Cacophony
to jazz pianist Chick Corea, shows that opera singers may
not be what you think, and his audiences are surprisingly diverse as
well..."
Photo by LK Case
On Italy's RAI International TV, performing at the Stelle dell'Anno Nuovo Festival, where he received the Omaggio al Bel Canto Best Interpretation Award / 2009
Bass-baritone Bülent Güneralp is at home in diverse genres including opera, oratorio, sacred song, art song, spirituals, folk, Broadway, American Songbook and jazz. He is also a pianist, drummer and instructor.
Recent highlights include the world-premieres of Missa Patri Pio and Canzoni Dantesche by Leonardo Ciampa, and The Prioress's Tale by Delvyn Case ; the Omaggio al Bel Canto Best Interpretation Award at the Stelle dell'Anno Nuovo Festival in Boston, covered by Italy's RAI International TV; official recognitions by the Massachusetts State Senate and Thomas Menino; a Bandwidth TV feature program, premiered on Cambridge Community TV to be aired on several channels in Boston; and a solo performance he gave at the historic USS Salem in the first-ever maritime festival of Quincy, Massachusetts.
As a pianist, in addition to the eclectic vocal concerts he gives with pianist Eunyoung Kim, he gives self-accompanied concerts.
As a drummer, Mr. Güneralp played in The Istanbul State Theater Orchestra under the direction of conductor Onder Bali. He enjoys playing in jazz and rock combos, collaborating with different artists.
A graduate of the Boston Conservatory, Mr. Güneralp studied voice/opera also at The Istanbul University State Conservatory in Türkiye, and Longy School of Music in Cambridge. He taught voice at The Boston Conservatory Summer Choral Institute; voice, piano and drums at The Quincy Point Music Academy as a faculty member. His voice studio included students from such diverse backgrounds as opera, musical theater, pop, soul, rhythm & blues, bluegrass, rock, heavy metal, and public speaking.
Mr. Güneralp maintains private voice, piano and drum studios in Boston. He is also on faculty at A Street Music in Quincy, where he teaches voice, piano and drums.
As Sky Masterson, performing the duet "I'll know" from Loesser's Guys & Dolls with soprano Olga Lisovskaya as Sarah Brown / Boston, MA / 2010
Photo by Dana Pentia
Performing "Some Enchanted Evening" from South Pacific / Quincy, MA / 2010
