Meet the Student: Q&A with Baritone Ross Macatangay
Baritone Ross Macatangay, from New York City, stars as Antonio, Count Almaviva’s gardener and Susanna’s uncle, in Curtis Opera Theatre’s hilarious production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, February 27–28, and March 1–2, 2025 at the Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center. Mr. Macatangay entered Curtis in 2024 and is a student of Mark Schnaible. All students at Curtis receive merit-based, full-tuition scholarships, and he is the Margaret Aull Wynne and Milly E. Wynne Fellow
When did you first realize that opera was your true calling?
The pivotal moment would have to be during the pandemic when I was in sophomore year of my undergraduate degree. I was enjoying my classes, but I wouldn’t say that I was committed to opera as a career, as I have always been interested in different genres of music.
COVID really derailed our studies, and for vocalists it was especially difficult—having to sing with masks on, not being able to perform for a live audience, not having in-person lessons. But looking back, being stuck at home, all I could do was practice and study the world of opera, including spending hours watching operas on the Met Opera app.
While some classmates decided to take off junior year until school felt safe and normal again, I wasn’t sure what I would do with my time during a year off. That was the critical moment I decided to push myself to work hard to overcome the limitations we were dealt. In doing so, I found the love in the art form I had not felt before, and the path I am on now.
Now that you’ve settled into a rhythm at Curtis, balancing classes and rehearsals, what excites you most about continuing your operatic studies here?
Curtis is such a special place to be! Of course, it goes without saying that it is one of the top music conservatories in the world. From my very first day here, I have felt nothing but support and warmth from the phenomenal faculty and the super-talented student body. Regardless of the major or level, students attend each other’s performances because we are genuinely interested. That is what makes Curtis so unique–the fact that everybody is eager to expand their knowledge of the universal language we call “music.” I cannot wait to continue learning through the wonderful musical experiences here at Curtis!
What roles do you hope to perform in the future and why?
There are so many amazing operas out there with roles I would love to perform one day. For me, Papageno from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte is such a fun role, and I feel I can identify with Papageno in the way that he is a comical character who loves the idea of love! Another role would be Marcello from Puccini’s La bohème. To me, La bohème has some of the most stunning music ever written, bringing me to tears every time. To sing in this opera would be an absolute dream!
I would love to perform as Count Almaviva from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. We are currently working on a production of it, and through the process, I am learning why this opera is considered one of the best. It is so timeless and full of some of the most gorgeous music. Count Almaviva is a real character with such a wide range of emotions to express!
Audiences can also catch Ross Macatangay later this spring as the Judge and Captain in Leonard Bernstein’s outrageous, philosophical operetta, Candide, on April 11 and 13 at the Forrest Theatre.
Portraits of Mr. Macatangay by Nichole MCH Photography, and Q&A by Ryan Lathan.
