Success Story: Featuring Michael J. Pegher

    For our latest Success Stories Feature, Oper Germany is thrilled to interview Michael J. Pegher who enjoyed  a 13 year-long career as a character tenor (‘spieltenor’ auf Deutsch!) throughout Germany in repertoire spanning Mozart to Wagner. Michael not only found success on the opera stage, but behind-the-scenes as well, having transitioned into the administrative side of opera serving as the Assistant to the Intendant (Persönlicher Referent des Intendanten) at the Staatstheater Darmstadt. Now based in the United States, he is currently the owner and operator of a new business venture www.operascout.com. Along with his operatic career, Michael was co-founder and Head of Artist Acquisition and Promotion for Künstlermeile, an artist agency that was dedicated to representing highly qualified artists for supplementary jobs and recitals. He also is the co-founder and co-host of the most downloaded opera podcast in the world, Sex, Drugs, & Opera, which can still be found on all major podcast platforms. He brings a unique perspective to our Success Stories Series and we are thrilled to offer his expertise and advice to our readers and followers. 

     In our interview, you’ll learn how Michael found his “niche” as a character tenor, even though the American operatic training & audition system, generally overall, doesn’t focus on nurturing ‘spieltenor’ voices for a full-time career. You’ll learn what Michael has learned as an administrator and be able to take away some “dos and don’ts” when it comes to professional behavior as a singer within the massive machine that is a busy German opera house. You’ll also gain some perspective on the importance not only of your development as a singer, but the extremely important development of yourself as a unique artist in order to stand out amongst the crowd within the opera system in Germany. 

    To learn more about Michael’s extensive performance career, please visit his artist website at www.michaelpegher.com. His experience on and off the stage will give you wonderful insight into the world of opera in Germany, whether you sing the repertoire of spieltenor or not. This in-depth interview can be viewed in the video above and is also viewable directly on our YouTube Channel. Furthermore, please enjoy some “high notes” from Michael’s performance career below, including production photos & access to Michael’s recordings on his YouTube channel. 

     If you have any questions for Michael, you can follow him on Instagram @michaelpegher, contact him via his current new venture www.operascout.com or for general questions about the specifics of the ‘spieltenor’ repertoire, reach out to us at opergermany@gmail.com. Enjoy this insightful interview from an industry expert!