Derrell Acon

Biography

Bass-baritone Derrell Acon holds a doctoral degree in 19th-Century Opera History and Performance and Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). He graduated summa cum laude from Lawrence University with a B.Mus. degree and B.A. degree in Government, with a minor in Ethnic Studies. Dr. Acon’s work on Black Motivation, Blacktivism, and performative education has been presented throughout the country at venues such as the National Association for Ethnic Studies annual conference, the University of Chicago, and the Marcus Center in Milwaukee, and abroad in Europe and Africa. Prominent operatic roles include Leporello in Don Giovanni, Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte, Kecal in The Bartered Bride, Escamillo in Carmen, and the title role in Don Bucefalo. He has recently made debuts at National Opera Center in New York City, the Kalihu and Palace Theaters in Hawaii, Semperoper Dresden, Hamburgische Staatsoper, Deutsches Theater München, Kölner Philharmonie, Alte Oper Frankfurt, Haifa Congress Center, Tel-Aviv Charles Bronfman Hall, Teatro Petruzzelli di Bari, and La Compagnia del BelCanto di Milano. He performed as Antron McCray in the world-premiere of Anthony Davis’ The Central Park Five with Long Beach Opera, and with Heartbeat Opera as Rocco in Fidelio and Caspar in Der Freischütz.