“vividly realistic and imaginative..."
….more about Peter
As a performer, Kazaras enjoyed a distinguished international career, appearing at the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Seattle Opera, and the Vienna State Opera, among many others. A champion of contemporary repertoire, he created roles in several major premières, including The Ghosts of Versailles (Metropolitan Opera), A Quiet Place and New Year (Houston Grand Opera), and Thérèse Raquin (Dallas Opera, Opéra de Montréal, San Diego Opera). He continues to appear on stage, most recently as Mr. Maraczek in She Loves Me (Opera Saratoga) and The Duke in Library of Maps (Long Beach Opera).
Over the past quarter century, Kazaras has built an equally prominent reputation as a director known for theatrical clarity, musical sensitivity, and vivid storytelling. His work has been seen at companies including Washington National Opera, The Glimmerglass Festival, Dallas Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Seattle Opera, and many others. Notable productions include Le nozze di Figaro, La bohème, Samson et Dalila, Il barbiere di Siviglia, The Rake’s Progress, and Korngold’s Der Ring des Polykrates. He has also directed world premières and new versions of contemporary works such as An American Tragedy and An American Dream.
A dedicated mentor, Kazaras has directed and produced dozens of productions at UCLA and has worked extensively with leading training programs including the Merola Opera Program, Music Academy of the West, Juilliard School, and Washington National Opera’s Young Artist Program. He is a sought-after master teacher, competition adjudicator, and panelist, and has served on advisory boards for The Glimmerglass Festival and the New York Festival of Song.
Renowned for his ability to bridge performance and pedagogy, Peter Kazaras remains a vital presence in the opera world as both a director and a performer, bringing decades of experience, insight, and artistry to every project.