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Purchase alumnus part of a 3-generation opera family

Bryan Murray (MM ’15, AD ’16) is following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps as an internationally renowned opera singer.

Bryan Murray’s father, John Horton Murray, has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden in London, and covered for singers such as Plácido Domingo. His grandfather, William B. Murray, performed for more than three decades at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

After a brief “rebellion” into playing violin, Bryan switched to studying voice and opera and came to Purchase to pursue a Master’s degree. While here, he had many starring roles in Purchase Opera’s award-winning productions including The Marriage of Figaro, and The Crucible.

After graduation, he continued on to Yale University has spent the last season following in his grandfather’s footsteps at the Deutsche Oper Berlin where he has performed in Carmen, The Magic Flute, Marullo in Rigoletto and Fiorillo in Barber of Seville, among many others.

Bryan, described has having a “face framed by a leonine mane of red hair,” described his love for opera by saying, “It’s a lovely feeling of accomplishing something bigger than yourself…coming together with so many people to put together this one show.”

Read the full article and watch a duet between father and son, John Horton and Bryan Murray.

Bryan also placed third in the prestigious Mirjam Helin international vocal competition and was the only American selected for the finals. Watch his award-winning performance here.