Dr. Christopher Hollingsworth

Dr. Christopher Hollingsworth, assistant professor of voice and director of opera, has appeared with various regional opera companies in the United States. His professional operatic credits include leading and featured roles in Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte, The Magic Flute, Le nozze di Figaro, Kismet, Madama Butterfly, Roméo et Juliette, Carmen, La Traviata, Les contes d'Hoffman, Die Fledermaus, Street Scene, and Amahl and the Night Visitors.

Musical theatre credits include leading roles in Joseph, Showboat, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Big River. Hollingsworth has also appeared with several regional orchestras as tenor soloist in the Messiah, Elijah, Christmas Oratorio, Saint Nicholas Cantata, Beethoven’s Ninth Choral Finale, Beethoven’s Mass in C, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Mozart's Mass in C, and Haydn's Lord Nelson's Mass.

In September 2005, he created the role of Nat in the World Premiere of Nancy Van de Vate’s Where the Cross is Made. This opera was released on the Vienna Modern Masters International Label in 2006. In August 2011, the tenor traveled to the Czech Republic where he recorded the role of Laertes in Nancy Van de Vate’s Hamlet with the Moravian Philharmonic also released on Vienna Modern Masters International Label.

He has directed numerous opera productions and scenes programs. Recent productions include: Così fan tutte, Orfeo ed Euridice, Gianni Schicchi, The Telephone, Bastien und Bastienne, Amahl and the Visitors, and The Christmas Rose.

Hollingsworth served on the Illinois State University faculty from 2002 to 2010 as assistant professor in voice and director of the Opera Practicum. He has also served on the faculty at Syracuse University as adjunct professor of voice and opera, and at Lycoming College as an adjunct lecturer in voice.

Hollingsworth holds a B.M. in vocal performance from DePauw University, an M.M. in opera/vocal performance from Binghamton University, and a D.M.A. in vocal performance and literature from the University of Illinois.

Degrees Earned

Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance, DePauw University, 1992
Master of Music, Opera/Vocal Performance, Binghamton University, 1998
Doctor of Musical Arts, Vocal Performance and Literature, University of Illinois, 2004