Virginia singer makes Met finals

Will Liverman, a 23-year-old baritone from Virginia Beach, has been named one of nine finalists in the Metropolitan Opera’s 2012 National Council Auditions. After winning in Eastern regional auditions, he will compete in the finalists’ concert on March 18 at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

Liverman, who is studying for a master’s degree at the Juilliard School, currently is in his first season with the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center for young singers at Lyric Opera of Chicago. He also won a 2012 George London Foundation Encouragement Award.

He sang roles in Puccini’s “Tosca” and Copland’s “The Tender Land” last summer at Glimmerglass Opera.

UPDATE 1 (MARCH 17): A profile of the singer, by Teresa Annas of The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk):

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/03/va-beach-baritone-finals-metropolitan-opera

UPDATE 2 (MARCH 19): Liverman was not one of the winners. He and three others passed over by the finals judges each will receive $5,000.