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, Dukes’ 2025-2026 season included Jud Fry in Oklahoma with Pensacola Opera, the Commentator in Scalia/Ginsburg with Kentucky Opera, and covering Titan in Lalovavi and singing the Fifth Jew in Salome in Cincinnati Opera’s summer festival. This season’s engagements include a return to Cincinnati Opera to create the role of Jim Forman in the world premiere of Good Trouble (Corley/Solomon-Glover), a debut with Lyric Opera of Kansas City as Ramfis in Aida, and two role debuts as Dr. Grenvil in La traviata with Indianapolis Opera and Osmin in Die Entführung aus dem Serail with Opera Idaho.