Chaz’men Williams-Ali
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“Lyrical doesn’t begin to capture the sublime beauty and suppleness of his voice.… it was a revelation throughout the evening”
DC Theater Arts
From his formative performing experiences in his native St Louis to his seasons in the ensemble of Theater und Orchester Heidelberg, Chaz’men Williams-Ali has built an impressively diverse repertoire and emerged as a tenor of striking dramatic power and commanding stage presence. Now focused on roles including Florestan (Fidelio), Bacchus (Ariadne auf Naxos), Prince (Rusalka), Apollo (Daphne), Cavaradossi (Tosca) and Radamès (Aida), he enters the coming seasons poised to embark on an exciting new artistic trajectory.
Williams-Ali made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Zorn in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg in the 2021/22 season under Sir Antonio Pappano and sang First Prisoner, subsequently going on as Florestan in Francesca Zambello’s production of Fidelio at Washington National Opera in the 2024/25 season, conducted by Robert Spano. The current season brings a production of Tosca at Florentine Opera, conducted by Francesco Milioto, and Severin in the American premiere of Kurt Weill’s Der Silbersee at Chicago Opera Theater, conducted by James Lowe and directed by Lawrence Edelson.
The upcoming 2026/27 season includes Tosca at English National Opera and sees Williams-Ali feature as Narraboth on a new recording of Salome with Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria, conducted by Alex Prior.
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Williams-Ali made his international debut as Robbins and the Crab Man in James Robinson’s iconic production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, first at English National Opera under the baton of John Wilson, later reprising his success at Dutch National Opera with James Gaffigan. The Daily Mail wrote “It’s the support that’s so exceptional… and Chaz’men Williams-Ali as the Crab Man contributes a cameo of the utmost distinction”.
A performer of wide-ranging musical interests, Williams-Ali has excelled across a variety of contemporary works. He created the role of Spinner in the world premiere of Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones at Opera Theatre of St Louis, and appeared as Nate in William Grant Still’s Highway One, USA, marking his debut at Los Angeles Opera. At the Glimmerglass Festival, he gave a compelling performance as Giles Cory in Robert Ward’s The Crucible, earned acclaim for his portrayal of Raymond Santana in Antony Davis’ The Central Park Five at Detroit Opera and was featured in James Robinson’s celebrated production of Mark Blitzstein’s Regina at Opera Theatre of St Louis.
Earlier engagements include Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly) at Washington National Opera, Don José (Carmen) with The Washington Chorus, and Rodolfo (La Bohème) at both Glimmerglass Festival and Kentucky Opera. He has also appeared as Narraboth at Madison Opera and the Prince at Opera Idaho. His repertoire further encompasses Canio (I Pagliacci), Alfredo (La Traviata), Lensky (Eugene Onegin), and Roméo (Romeo et Juliette).
Contacts
Shirley Thomson Senior Director, VOICE at HarrisonParrott | Head of CSR
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“Chaz’men Williams-Ali as Nate was suitably boorish (though I was sorry to see a libretto where a character reading Schopenhauer and interested in philosophy is cast as a heavy).”
“Chaz’men Williams-Ali is believably smitten, and he sings beautifully, too.”
“The excellent cast also included Chaz’men Williams-Ali, a charming rogue as Charles’s father, Spinner.”
“It’s the support that’s so exceptional… and Chaz’men Williams-Ali as the Crab Man contributes a cameo of the utmost distinction.”
“Chaz’men Williams-Ali has such a pleasing, vibrant tenor.”
“Lyrical doesn’t begin to capture the sublime beauty and suppleness of tenor Chaz’men Williams-Ali’s voice as Roméo. Soaring throughout the theatre in almost every scene of the opera, Mr. Williams-Ali’s voice was a revelation throughout the evening, as in the tender duet “O nuit divine” with Juliette, or in the emotional duet of love and forgiveness “Va! Je t’ai pardonné,” Mr. Williams-Ali gorgeously conveyed every emotion Roméo experienced with his voice.”
