Canti Classics

Robert Sims

Lyric Baratone

Robert Sims, Gold Medal winner of the American Traditions Competition, has
been hailed by critics for his rich tone, energetic performances, and
convincing stage presence.

Mr. Sims has been highly praised for his moving interpretations of African
American spirituals, and has given numerous recitals of them throughout the
United States, Europe and Asia. He recently made his recital debut at
Carnegie Hall, and has performed in concert at Lincoln Center in New York,
the Smithsonian Institution, the Los Angeles African American Museum, Grace
Cathedral in San Francisco, the Chicago Historical Society, the Latour de
France International Music Festival in France, and the celebrated American
Church in Paris. Under the auspices of the Community Concerts and Live On
Stage Series, Sims performed more than 150 recitals throughout the United
States.

Robert Sims has appeared with many orchestras in this country, and toured
Japan with the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra. He was featured in a
performance of Bernstein's Opening Prayer which was televised nationally.
In 2003, Sims was the subject of a feature article in Classical Singer
Magazine highlighting his concert career.

He appeared several times in performance on the Hour of Power from the
Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California which is broadcast
internationally. In 2002, he was the focus of a Public Broadcasting Service
special Artbeat Chicago. Among the summer festivals that Sims has sung at
include Chautauqua, Yachats, Grant Park, Big Arts, and the Ravinia Music
Festival. He also toured nationally in Three Generations, a celebration of
American spirituals and folk songs with George Shirley, the late William
Warfield and Benjamin Matthews.

Sims premiered the spiritual suite, I'm a Soldier, for baritone and
orchestra composed for him by Lena McLin and orchestrated with Jan Bach.
The work debuted in 2002 with the Savannah Symphony Orchestra under the
baton of Chelsea Tipton.

After winning the Friedrich Schorr Opera Award, Mr. Sims appeared in
Massenet's Cendrillon, which won the National Opera America Award. He made
his Goodman Theater debut in Kurt Weil's Lost In the Stars under the
direction of Frank Galati, and sang the role of Dr. Malatesta in Don
Pasquale with Opera Carolina. His other operatic credits include roles in
Romeo et Juliette and Die Zauberflöte with the Tri-Cities Opera.

Mr. Sims' artistry is highlighted on four compact discs produced by Canti
Classics: Soul of a Singer, Sims Sings Copland and Spirituals, In The
Spirit, and Three Generations. He is also featured on two recordings: Deep
River, and Gotta Home in Dat Rock performed by Moses Hogan and his Chorale.

Robert Sims is an alumnus of Oberlin Conservatory, SUNY Binghamton,
Northwestern University, and Music Academy of the West. For more information
visit www.RobertSims.com.