Ron DUKES

Bass Ron Dukes, praised by the Chicago Tribune for his “bountiful, arresting voice,” is emerging as a major contender on the international operatic stage. A recent graduate of Lyric Opera of Chicago’s prestigious Ryan Opera Center, this season he makes a return to Pensacola Opera to portray Jud Fry in Oklahoma, joins Kentucky Opera as the Commentator in Scalia/Ginsburg, and attends Cincinnati Opera’s summer festival to cover Titan in Lalovavi and sing the Fifth Jew in Salome. Future engagements include a return to Cincinnati Opera to create the role of Jim Forman in the world premiere of Good Trouble, a new opera by Maria Thompson Corley and Diana Solomon-Glover, a debut with Lyric Opera of Kansas City as Ramfis in Aida, and a role debut of Dr. Grenvil in La traviata with Indianapolis Opera.

In the 2024-2025 season, Mr. Dukes made his company debut with Houston Grand Opera as The Bonze in Madama Butterfly. He also made a notable debut with Pittsburgh Opera as John Henry in We Shall Not Be Moved, where Onstage Pittsburgh praised his “powerfully resonant and rich bass voice” and “outstanding performance,” and made his Kentucky Opera debut as Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors.
While a member of the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago, he made his house debut Jago in Ernani, followed by the Corporal in La fille du régiment. During his tenure he also created the role of Sam in The Factotum, appeared as Chief’s Son #1 and Passenger #8 in Proximity, and covered Zuniga in Carmen.

A commanding interpreter of the core bass repertoire, his roles include Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, Bartolo in Le nozze di Figaro, Don Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Simone in Gianni Schicchi, and Oroveso in Norma, performed with companies including Wolf Trap Opera, The Glimmerglass Festival, Pensacola Opera, Washington Opera Society, and Indiana University Opera Theatre. He is a graduate of Indiana University’s prestigious Jacobs School of Music (M.M., 2022) and the University of Indianapolis (B.M., 2018).