Baritone Thomas Florio has been hailed as “powerful, flexible, and sensitive” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung). His work has also been celebrated as “brilliant” (Scherzo Magazine) and “the vocal event of the performance” (Orpheus Opera International).
In particular, his interpretation of Peter Maxwell Davies’ Eight Songs for a Mad King has been hailed as “peerless” (NRC Handelsblad - NL), “phenomenal” (Turun Sanomat - FI), and “vocalism seamlessly combined with physical expression” (Rondo Classic - DE). The Oslo Aftenposten (NO) raved, “Florio has remarkable empathy, bringing to life an extraordinarily complex character with crystal clear enunciation… this performance is a dramatic home run.”
At the Bregenzer Festspiele 2025, Thomas will give the world premiere of Farmer George (music by Osmo Tapio Räihälä, text by Thomas Florio). Written specifically to be performed with Eight Songs for a Mad King, this new work explores the life of the king before he goes “mad,” as he fights in vain against the darkness that will eventually envelop him.
On the operatic stage, Thomas has performed across Europe with the Bayerische Staatsoper, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Staatsoper Hamburg, Opéra national de Lorraine, Staatsoper Hannover, and Theater Magdeburg, among others. From 2011 to 2013, he was a member of the Internationales Opernstudio at the Staatsoper Hamburg; his early career highlights include young artist programs with Wolf Trap Opera and San Francisco Opera’s Merola Opera Program.
As a concert artist, Thomas has appeared under the auspices of the Berlin Philharmonic (Germany), the Oslo Philharmonic (Norway), with the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, the Turku Music Festival, and the Tapiola Sinfonietta (Finland), the Stift International Music Festival (Netherlands), Les sons intensifs (Belgium), and the Staunton Music Festival (USA).
In 2024, with Klaus Mäkelä and members of the Orchestre de Paris, Thomas performed Eight Songs for a Mad King in a special concert in the Salle Daru of the Louvre Museum. Díapason Magazine said of the performance, "The setting is grandiose; the dizzying embodiment, both vocal and physical, by Thomas Florio leaves the audience speechless.”
Thomas also devotes himself to educating the next generation of musicians and music lovers. He performs in children’s operas, narrates symphony concerts for families in both German and English, leads post-show conversations with young audiences, and works with local schools to provide in-school presentations.
Competition successes include the 41st NATS Artist Award Competition (Grand Prize Winner, 2011), and the Houston Grand Opera Eleanor McCallum Competition (Second Place, 2011), among others.
Photo Credit: Oliver Look
Artist Coaching
In addition to his work on stage, Thomas also maintains a private coaching practice, where he works with artists (opera singers, pianists, actors, directors, and more) to build mental skills that support their technical skills. His work is founded in the principles of Internal Family Systems Therapy, which he uses to help artists befriend and learn from - rather than fight and resist - the inner voices that have been holding them back.
To learn more, or to schedule a coaching session, visit his coaching site or reach out using the contact form below.
