Neal Ferreira is a nationally recognized lyric tenor known for his cultivated vocalism and eloquent expression. Dubbed a “Boston mainstay” by the Boston Globe, he recently appeared with Boston Lyric Opera in the New England premiere of Rhiannon Giddens’ and Michael Abels’ Pulitzer Prize winning opera, Omar (Auctioneer/Taylor). The tenor regularly sings with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and returned in 2024 for performances of Lady MacBeth of Mtsensk at Symphony Hall and Carnegie Hall, under the baton of Maestro Andris Nelsons.
A much sought-after interpreter of new music, Mr. Ferreira made his European debut in 2021 as Laertes in the world premiere of Joseph Summer’s Hamlet with State Opera Rousse, Bulgaria. His successful performance as the Visitor in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of Philip Glass’ In the Penal Colony was called “poignant” by the Wall Street Journal and “perfect” by Opera News. The tenor can be heard on the premiere recordings of numerous operas, including Charles Wuorinen’s Haroun and the Sea of Stories (BMOP/sound), James MacMillan’s Clemency (BIS), Joseph Summer’s The Tempest (Albany), and Mario Castenuovo Tedesco’s The Importance of Being Earnest (Odyssey Opera).
Ferreira’s 2023-24 engagements included the role of Flavio in Norma with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, and a return to Boston Lyric Opera as Loud Stone in Matthew Aucoin’s Eurydice, conducted by the composer. He also performed the Doctor in Dominick Argento’s The Voyage of Edgar Allan Poe with Odyssey Opera, for which he was lauded by Opera News as “outstanding,” “lyrical but penetrating,” and “a model of verbal clarity.”
Among his performances in the current season, Mr. Ferreira will appear as the French Ambassador in Of Thee I Sing and Kruger in Let ‘Em Eat Cake with Odyssey Opera/BMOP, Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol with the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Gaston in Die tote Stadt with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Il Conte di Lerma in Don Carlo with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, Alpheus/Ares in Mark Adamo’s Lysistrata with Odyssey Opera, as well as several concerts and oratorios around New England in spring 2025.