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

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

Pilgrim Congregational Church
Haydn’s Creation – Soloist
November 13, 2022, 4pm | Pilgrim Congregational Church, Oak Park, IL

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

Illinois Philharmonic
Handel’s Messiah – Soloist
December 17, 2022, 3pm | Tickets | Ozinga Chapel at Trinity Christian College, Palos Hieghts, IL

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
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
Ich hab ein gluhend Messer
Die zwei blauen augen vom meinem Schatz
I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'
A Women is a Sometime Thing
The People that Walked in Darkness
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