Brandon Scott Russell is a 2018 National Semi-Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. He is noted to have a “Strong, ringing tenor capable of both power and feeling” who’s “sweet tenor soared above the orchestra in a passionate and operatic performance” (KC Metropolis).
His 2017-2018 season consists of multiple company and role debuts.  At the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM) Russell performed as the title role in Mozart’s Idomeneo.  He went on to perform in Cincinnati Opera’s 2017 Summer Festival singing the roles of 1st armored man in Die Zauberflöte and Parpignol in La bohème, while covering the leading tenor roles of Tamino and Rodolfo.  Following this, Russell debuted with Springfield Regional Opera performing the role of Cassio in their performance of Verdi’s Otello.  He then returned to CCM where he portrayed the title role in Bernstein’s Candide.  He recently finished up his time at CCM by portraying the role of Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi where he “displayed an exciting Italianate tenor in his aria praising Florence, with the power to soar over Puccini’s voluptuous orchestra” (Cincinnati Business Courier).
Russell has participated across the United States in prestigious studio and apprentice artist programs, such as The Wolf Trap Opera Company, Cincinnati Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Saratoga, and Houston Grand Opera’s Young Artist Vocal Academy.  Upcoming, he will be seen as a Gerdine Young Artist for Opera Theatre of St. Louis’s Summer 2018 festival, where he will be covering Alfredo in La traviata and Dr. Marshall in Regina.  Following his time as a young artist, he will return to Cincinnati Opera to perform as The Teacher in Julien Bilodeau’s contemporary opera Another Brick in the Wall.