role of Benvenuto Cellini, appeared in two different seasons as Herod in Salome, as Le Lepreux in Olivier Messiaen's Saint François d'Assise, and as Eleazar in La Juive. In 2006, Merritt appeared in the American premiere production of Thomas Adès' The Tempest, marking his return to The Santa Fe Opera. See also The Rossini Bicentennial Birthday Gala References External links Naxos: Chris Merritt Two Interviews with Chris Merritt, November 9, 1985 & December 17, 1993 American operatic tenors Oklahoma City University alumni 1952 births Living people Musicians from Oklahoma City 20th-century American male opera singers Singers from Oklahoma 21st-century American male opera singers