Gary Zeller - Biography

~ Gary Zeller ~

Tenor & Voice Teacher

Specializing in the traditional Italian

Vocal Technique of Bel Canto.

Raised in Germany, Gary Zeller was introduced to classical music at a young age when his aunt gave him an operatic recording by the leading German tenor Rudoph Schock. From that day, he has been an operatic devotee.

Gary Zeller moved to Vancouver in his early twenties and took his initial vocal studies with the well known & highly respected Vancouver teacher, Mr. Luigi Wood. For two consecutive years Gary placed first in the Western Regional Metropolitan Opera auditions. He then went on to Milan, Italy to study the Bel Canto technique of singing with Maestro Siliotti. Continuing his training in New York, Mr. Zeller coached with Miss Alberta Masiello of The Metropolitan Opera and he returned to Italy to study with the world renown baritone, Maestro Tito Gobbi. Maestro Gobbi choose Gary to sing in recital at the famous Associazione Culturale, Buggiano Castello and to also perform in concert at the Circolo Culturale, Parma Lirica.

At that time, (the mid 1970’s) the Artistic Director of the fledging Vancouver Opera Association, was the renown Conductor Maestro Richard Bonynge (husband of Joan Sutherland, who was regarded as the world’s foremost soprano). During his tenure as Artistic Director for the V.O.A. Maestro Bonynge established the Resident Artists’ Programme and he choose Gary as one of seven singers for his original Resident Artist’s ensemble. Thus began Gary’s over fifteen year association with the Vancouver Opera.

Under the direction of Maestro Richard Bonynge, Gary made his operatic debut, singing the tenor role of Idrehus in “Semiramide.” He continued to work with Maestro Bonynge as Artistic Director and Conductor in the Vancouver Opera’s production of “La Buona Figliuloa” , sang the role of Tchekalinaky in “The Queen of Spades” and understudied the role of Gustav III in “Un Ballo in Maschera”. Gary also appeared in several concert engagements under the direction of Maestro Bonynge during the Maestro’s tenure with the Vancouver Opera.

Mr. Zeller has sung tenor roles for numerous local musical companies including the role of Rudolfo in “La Boheme” for the then prestigious CYMC Summer Opera Studio in which he was partnered with four separate sopranos singing the role of Mimi. For several seasons Gary was principal tenor of the Vancouver Opera-In-The-Schools Program, (more recently titled the Touring Ensemble) Gary was the principal tenor – touring communities throughout British Columbia, singing the lead tenor roles in “Rigoletto”, “Faust”( 2 seasons) “Il Trovatore” (2 seasons) and “The Barber of Seville” (2 seasons) for in excess of 300 performances per season.

Gary Zeller has performed in concert and recital in Italy, Germany, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. He has sung in such diverse situations as pubs & churches, radio & television, outdoor sports stadiums & international cruise ships. He spent several years in Australia where he toured for the Queensland Arts Council, performed with the Lyric Opera of Queensland and The Deutsche Theater Down Under. He continued his teaching in Australia and was a member of the Music Teachers Association of Queensland.

Since returning to Vancouver in 1996, Mr. Zeller continues to perform in concert and has resumed teaching at his studio in East Vancouver. He is a registered member of The National Association of the Teachers of Singing (in the U.S. and Canada).