Patrick McNally, D.M.A.

Assistant Professor of Music in Voice and Director of Opera

Baritone Dr. Patrick McNally is highly praised for bringing new works to life and invigorating great works of old. He prioritizes works important to our time that deeply impact audiences. Drawing from his extensive performance experience, he is equally at home on the opera, musical theatre and recital stage. 

Dr. McNally recently traveled to Rimini to make his professional Italian debut, portraying one of his most notoriously beloved characters, the title role in “Don Giovanni” as well as the complex and rich role of Georgio Germont. In the past season, he returned to St. Petersburg Opera to sing Taddeo in “l'Italiana in Algeri” and The Wolf in “Pinocchio.” He was also seen with the Quad Cities Symphony performing the role of Gad in Heggie’s “Two Remain (Out of Darkness).” Recently, Mr. McNally recorded “Tangling” with the Epic, a CD of newly created English and Australian art songs on the Wirripang Records label. As an avid recitalist, this season he provided a recital for St. Petersburg Opera, and next season he will perform Argento's “Andrée Expedition” and Beethoven’s “An die ferne Geliebte,” op. 98.  

During the pandemic, Dr. McNally premiered in his first Twitch Opera as well as multiple asynchronous productions for online audiences including the world premiere of the award-winning “Verdi by Vegetables” by Peter Hilliard and Matt Boresi, receiving Opera America's Digital Excellence in Opera Award. Dr. McNally has been known and glowingly reviewed throughout his career for his command of the bel canto repertoire, his stylish portrayal of Mozart and his commitment to new works. He continues to delight audiences with a baritone described as “robust” and “standout” by the Denver Post, as having a “rich, expressive baritone,” and with a “lively stage presence” as described by Opera News.  

Dr. McNally has performed at houses across the United States as well as internationally. Recent career highlights include appearances at Nashville Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Central City Opera, Tri-Cities Opera, Sarasota Opera, Dayton Opera, Opera Louisiane, Bronx Opera, Opera Mississippi, City Lyric Opera, the Center for Contemporary Opera, the Boston Lyric Opera, St. Petersburg Opera, as one of the solisti of Lucca, and in Die Eutiner Festspiele. His recent oratorio highlights include the baritone solos in “Fauré’s Requiem,” “Handel’s Messiah” and the “Bach Mass in B minor.” Dr. McNally has won many awards including the Richard F. Gold Career Grant from the Shoshana Foundation, and he is a John Moriarty Presidential Scholar.

Dr. McNally hold degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, the New England Conservatory and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a upstanding member of NATS, NOA, and AGMA. He has served as faculty as Director of Opera and Visiting Assistant Professor of Voice at Augustana College, as a guest master teacher at La Musica Lirica, and remains an international voice clinician.

A Conversation with Dr. McNally

Why do you like teaching?

I feel fulfilled passing on the musical knowledge that has brought me and so many others great joy.

Who is one of your role models and how did they impact you?

William Shomos showed me how to not just hold people to a standard, but modeled how to be a mentor and help them achieve that standard.

What is a current project in which you are involved?

A recital with my partner, Dr. Sara Chiesa!

Educational Background

• D.M.A., Music, University of Nebraska, 2021
• M.M., Vocal Performance, New England Conservatory, 2008
• B.F.A., Music Performance, Carnegie Mellon University, 2006

Awards and Honors

• Opera America's Digital Excellence in Opera Award
• Shoshana and Richard F. Gold Career Grant
• John Moriarty Presidential Scholar

Research Interests

• 21st Century American Opera
• Italian Opera
• Lyric diction
• Alexander Technique