Meet Bill McMurray

Baritone – Opera | Oratorio | Pops

Watch Me!Hear Me!

About Bill

“Ah che bel vivere che bel piacere.”

I can relate to Figaro as he expresses, “Ah what a beautiful life, what beautiful pleasure.” I feel the same way about singing. Having sung over 30 operatic roles in my career, spanning from standards such as La Boheme and Carmen to several world premiers, the excitement remains the same bringing masterpieces to the community. Explore my website to learn more about my activities and accomplishments. Feel free to send me a note if you’d like to connect.

Featured Roles

Some of Bill’s Favorite Roles

Figaro

Il bariere di Siviglia
Rossini

Germont

La Traviata
Verdi

Dulcamara

L’elisir d’amore
Donizetti

Marcello

La Boheme
Puccini

Count Almaviva

Le Nozze di Figaro
Mozart

Upcoming Events

Where you can see Bill

IPO Logo

Illinois Philharmonic

Porgy and Bess : A Concert of Songs

October 15, 2022, 5:30pm | Tickets | Ozinga Chapel at Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL

Chicago Bar

Chicago Bar Association

Mozart Requiem – Soloist
November 5 2022, 6:30pm | St. James Cathedral, Chicago, IL

 

Pilgrim Church of Oak Park

Pilgrim Congregational Church

Haydn’s Creation – Soloist

November 13, 2022, 4pm  | Pilgrim Congregational Church, Oak Park, IL

Harris Theater

Harris Theater

Messiah  – Soloist

December 10 & 11, 2022 | Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Chicago, IL

IPO Logo

Illinois Philharmonic

Handel’s Messiah – Soloist

December 17, 2022, 3pm  | Tickets | Ozinga Chapel at Trinity Christian College, Palos Hieghts, IL

Chicago Opera Theater

Chicago Opera Theater

Albert Herring: Role – Mr. Gedge, the Vicar

January 26, 28, 29, 2023  |  Tickets | Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, Chicago, IL

South Bend Symphony Orchestra

South Bend Symphony Orchestra

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 – Soloist

April 1, 2023, 7:30pm  |  Tickets | Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend, IN

Contact Bill

Send Bill a quick note

Listen

Hear Bill McMurray Live

Ging heut' morgan übers Feld

by Gustav Mahler | Songs of the Wayfarer

Ich hab ein gluhend Messer

by Gustav Mahler | Songs of the Wayfarer

Die zwei blauen augen vom meinem Schatz

by Gustav Mahler | Songs of the Wayfarer

Gallery

Photos of Bill McMurray in Action

Watch

Videos of Bill McMurray in Action

Largo al factotum

The Barber of Seville – Rossini
Elgin Opera

It take a long pull to get there

Porgy and Bess – Gershwin
Skylight Opera Theater

Au fond du temple Saint

The Pearl Fishers – Bizet
Elgin Opera

Vision Fugitive

Herodiade – Massenet
Elgin Opera

Thus Saith the Lord

Messiah – Handel

Reviews

What the Press Says about Bill McMurray

We have been continuously delighted and impressed with the talent of baritone Bill McMurray. His sturdy baritone is capable of a range of color that bordered on fearsome as Ibn-Hakia in Iolanta earlier this season but was warm and paternal in this role.

William and Margaret Swain
Buzznews.net
The Scarlet Ibis – 2019

There was a poignant Father from Bill McMurray, one of several bass-baritones emerging among Chicago’s most enjoyable singers.

Opera News
The Scarlet Ibis- 2019

Company regular Bill McMurray brought an authoritative bass-baritone and dignified presence to Ibn-Hakia, the holistic physician.

Lawrence Johnson
Chicago Classical Review
Iolanta – 2019

Company regular Bill McMurray was well suited to the role of Father. The burly singer was a strong yet sensitive paternal figure, his baritone warm yet pliant in his solo moments.

Lawrence Johnson
Chicago Classical Review
The Scarlet Ibis – 2019

FAQ

Things you didn’t know about Bill McMurray

Thank You

Thank you for visiting my site!

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about my passions, activities and career. Please let me know if you have a desire to attend any of my performances, I’d love to connect. I might even have a few connections at the box office – No promises!

Send Bill an Email

©Todd Rosenberg Photography 2017

Favorite Quote

“Think positive thoughts and good things will happen”

My Favorite Composers

I have three favorite composers, all of whom are great opera composers. The first is Mozart. He really knew how to write for the voice, and in his time, no one could do what he did. His opera Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) is one of my favorites in all of the repertoire. Singing Mozart requires the singer to have excellent technique in both the bottom and top of their range. He exposes you at times while giving you the opportunity to showcase your abilities.  The next is Rossini — the master of patter is a gift to any singer who has a flexible voice. He really lets you show how fast and colorful you can sing. The last one is Verdi. He combines both traits of Mozart and Rossini with beautiful melodies and extreme drama.

Offstage I like to...

Exercise using the CrossFit system and it has benefited me greatly. The challenge of building a healthier and stronger body each day has also allowed me to meet and connect with like-minded people who motivate, encourage and support me. I am also a huge sports fan, enjoy reading, cooking and discovering great bakeries.

Broadway Bound?

I once had the opportunity to play Javert in a national tour of Les Miserables, but turned it down to go to grad school. I’m not sure how the school of hard knocks would have turned out.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, went off to college and received a Master of Music degree in music performance from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. As the son of a military father, I lived in several different places, including both coasts. Having that experience taught how to adjust to different environments and make friends quickly. That would later serve me in my professional career.

After moving to Chicago, I’ve had the privilege of working with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater, Chicago Symphony, Elgin Opera, Harbor Country Opera, Skokie Valley Symphony, New Philharmonic and the Northwest Indiana Symphony.

Nothing Beats ....

watching my North Carolina Tarheel men’s basketball team play, Drum and Bugle Corps during the summer, and hearing great music by great musicians.

Favorite Quote

“Think positive thoughts and good things will happen”

My Favorite Composers

I have three favorite composers, all of whom are great opera composers. The first is Mozart. He really knew how to write for the voice, and in his time, no one could do what he did. His opera Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) is one of my favorites in all of the repertoire. Singing Mozart requires the singer to have excellent technique in both the bottom and top of their range. He exposes you at times while giving you the opportunity to showcase your abilities.  The next is Rossini — the master of patter is a gift to any singer who has a flexible voice. He really lets you show how fast and colorful you can sing. The last one is Verdi. He combines both traits of Mozart and Rossini with beautiful melodies and extreme drama.

Offstage I like to...

Exercise using the CrossFit system and it has benefited me greatly. The challenge of building a healthier and stronger body each day has also allowed me to meet and connect with like-minded people who motivate, encourage and support me. I am also a huge sports fan, enjoy reading, cooking and discovering great bakeries.

Broadway Bound?

I once had the opportunity to play Javert in a national tour of Les Miserables, but turned it down to go to grad school. I’m not sure how the school of hard knocks would have turned out.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, went off to college and received a Master of Music degree in music performance from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. As the son of a military father, I lived in several different places, including both coasts. Having that experience taught how to adjust to different environments and make friends quickly. That would later serve me in my professional career.

After moving to Chicago, I’ve had the privilege of working with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater, Chicago Symphony, Elgin Opera, Harbor Country Opera, Skokie Valley Symphony, New Philharmonic and the Northwest Indiana Symphony.

Nothing Beats ....

watching my North Carolina Tarheel men’s basketball team play, Drum and Bugle Corps during the summer, and hearing great music by great musicians.

Thank You

Thank you for visiting my site!

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about my passions, activities and career. Please let me know if you have a desire to attend any of my performances, I’d love to connect. I might even have a few connections at the box office – No promises!

Send Bill an Email

©Todd Rosenberg Photography 2017