David Salsbery Fry sings the role of Rev. Canon Chasuble in the Chicago Premiere of Chicago Opera Theater’s (COT) production of Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s humorous and final stage work – a “sparkling operatic adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s beloved play and a joyful tribute to the history of classical music itself.” Conducted by Kamna Gupta and directed by Brenna Corner, the acclaimed bass joins a cast featuring sopranos Vanessa Becerra and Erica Schuler, mezzo-sopranos Emily Treigle and Leah Dexter, and tenors Martin Luther Clark and Omar Najmi.
His fourth production with COT, Fry has previously appeared in the company’s productions of Shostakovich’s The Nose (2023) singing multiple roles (4th Janitor, 3rd Policeman, 3rd Student & 3rd Acquaintance); Chen/Simpatico’s The Life and Death(s) of Alan Turing (2023, as Don Bayley, Bobby & Prosecutor,); Adamo’s Becoming Santa Claus (2021, as Donkey & Messenger); and in the 2019 Orchestral Workshop presentation of The Life and Death(s) of Alan Turing.
Filled with romantic chaos and elaborate deceptions, Chicago Opera Theater’s December 2026 production of Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s The Importance of Being Earnest is the Chicago premiere of this rarely performed gem. Described by COT as “an opera where impeccable manners conceal outrageous secrets, romance blossoms in the most unlikely circumstances, and the greatest revelation of all may be the true importance of being 'Earnest'", further details of this scintillating production can be found on COT’s website here.
Chicago Opera Theater
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: The Importance of Being Earnest (Chicago Premiere)
Libretto by the composer after Oscar Wilde
The Studebaker Theater
Wednesday, December 2 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 5 at 3:00 PM
Sunday, December 6 at 3:00 PM
3 hours, including intermission.
Tickets: click here.
About David Salsbery Fry
Singer David Salsbery Fry continues to captivate audiences with each role. Acclaimed for his expressive, powerful bass voice, wide range and nuanced versatility, along with an authentic and engaging stage presence, Fry enjoys a diverse career as singer, actor, narrator, and recording artist. Having performed throughout the United States, in Europe, Canada, Thailand, and Israel, Fry continues to expand his relationship with orchestras and opera companies through a broad range of repertoire, from Verdi, Mozart, Rossini, and Britten, to Argento, Chen, Foss, Fussell, Honegger, Sondheim, and more.
His voice has been praised as “Incredible! …Truly remarkable and astounding…”, “darkly sonorous,” and possessing “almost impossibly deep tones.” In addition to performing traditional operas and arias, Fry has premiered works by numerous composers, including Robert Aldridge, Shawn Brogan Allison, Lembit Beecher, Justine F. Chen, Frank Corcoran, Chaya Czernowin, John David Earnest, Ruby Fulton, Juliana Hall, Jenny Olivia Johnson, Louis Karchin, Lowell Liebermann, Adam Maor, Eric Nathan, Osnat Netzer, Steve Potter, Arnold Rosner, Joseph Summer, Kristian Twombly, Nicholas Vines and Scott Wheeler. He has also collaborated with Mark Adamo, James Granville Eakin III, Oliver Knussen, Ari Benjamin Meyers, Nico Muhly, John Musto, Judith Shatin, and Charles Wuorinen.
Fry has created a name for himself in the recording arena as well, appearing on recordings for Albany, Navona, BMOP/sound, Naxos, New World and Odyssey Opera. Most recently recording with Boston Modern Orchestra Project for its 2025 release of Dominick Argento and Charles Nolte’s The Voyage of Edgar Allan Poe (BMOP/sound 1107), Fry can be heard on 11 CDs.
The unique characteristics of Fry’s cross-genre voice has attracted engagements in other fields. In 2023, he voiced the character of Charles Xavier (Professor X) in the audio series “X-Men: Age of Orchis” for Marvel Entertainment.
A passionate advocate for performers with disabilities, Fry has written articles for and been featured in such media outlets as HowlRound, Classical Singer, The Liberated Voice, and Opera and Disability. A supporter of inclusion and diversity in all art forms, particularly the classical music industry, he believes in the importance of accessibility in the arts for artists with disabilities. Additional information may be found on his website.
