Biography

California native Derek Rue has performed in both Europe and the United States. His roles have included Tebaldo in Capuleti ed i Montecchi, Baron Kronthal in Der Wildschütz, Wenzel in Die Verkaufte Braut, Fenton in Nicolai’s Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor, Orphee in Gluck’s Orpheus and Euridice, and Ferrando in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte. He has also performed in the Salzburg Festival’s production of Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg and at the Gut Immling Festival’s presentation of Vivaldi’s seldom performed yet highly acclaimed, Montezuma. In addition, he has been a featured soloist in the Salzburger Dome.

Light-lyric tenor

Derek is currently singing with the Mittelsächsisches Theater where he has just debuted his Role and received outstanding reviews as Wenzel in Die Verkaufte Braut. Derek has performed in just about every genre at the theater including Opera, Musical Theater, hits from the 20’s and 30’s where he was a featured dancer, also featuring in the Jazz Big Band. Last season Derek performed Roles as Baron Kronthal in Der Wildschütz, by Albert Lortzing and Tebaldo in Bellini’s Romeo and Juliet. His first season he debuted as Prince Sigmund in Carl Maria von Weber’s, Das Waldmadchen, which had not been performed in over 200 years, coincidentally at the same theater in which it debuted.

After graduating from the Salzburg Mozarteum, Derek obtained a position at the Mittelsächsiches Theater in Freiberg, Germany where he had his Debut as Camille de Rossillon in The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar.

While studying French Literature and music at the University of Lyon, France, Derek began performing there as a jazz singer. During this time in France he sang in the University Choir and was introduced to the European classical singing culture.

After returning to the Los Angeles area he participated in numerous concerts, Masterclasses and Musical theater productions, where Derek’s ascent from small roles to lead roles was dramatic. His operatic debut was Tamino in the Magic Flute in 2010 at Pasadena City College, California. After receiving the prestigious Anna Marie Ketchum Award there, Derek was accepted into the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria, where he studied with Professor Christoph Strehl. He also studied with Markus Hoffman at the Wagner Konservatorium in Vienna. Currently Derek lives in Freiberg, Germany and studies with Professor Jeanette Favaro-Reuter in Leipzig.

Here you can check Derek Rue’s schedule!