THATCHER, Ariz. — Eastern Arizona College’s Department of Music will welcome acclaimed bass-baritone Samuel Weiser for a free guest vocal recital on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium on EAC’s Thatcher campus. The performance is free and open to the public.
Weiser, whose powerful voice and compelling stage presence have earned critical acclaim, has performed with some of the nation’s most prestigious opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, and Opera Baltimore. “Samuel Weiser is an extraordinary performer whose commanding voice and powerful stage presence have earned him a place on some of the world’s most prestigious opera stages,” said Dr. Michael Shoaf, EAC associate professor of music and voice area coordinator. “But what makes Samuel truly exceptional extends far beyond his musical talent. He brings an infectious warmth, humor, and generosity of spirit to everything he does. Having known him both personally and professionally for many years, I can say that he is every bit as remarkable a person as he is an artist. It is a tremendous privilege to bring a performer of his caliber to Eastern Arizona College, and I encourage audiences of all ages to take advantage of this rare opportunity to experience his artistry firsthand.”
The evening’s program will feature selections from renowned composers, including Modest Mussorgsky, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Franz Schubert, and Robert Schumann, offering audiences an opportunity to experience a range of classical vocal music performed by an accomplished professional artist.
Praised by Classical Voice North America for his powerful, richly colored voice and riveting acting, Weiser has established himself as a versatile performer equally at home in dramatic and comedic operatic roles. His portrayal of Alberich in Nashville Opera’s production of Das Rheingold drew particular acclaim, with reviewers describing his performance as a highlight of the production.
Weiser made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 2022 in Verdi’s Don Carlo and has since returned for productions of Un ballo in maschera, Dead Man Walking, Der Rosenkavalier, Fedora, and Grounded. His recent performances include roles in Luisa Miller with Washington Concert Opera, Don Giovanni with Livermore Valley Opera and Annapolis Opera, Lucia di Lammermoor with Gulfshore Opera, and Lucrezia Borgia with Baltimore Opera.
In addition to his operatic career, Weiser has performed as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Puccini’s La bohème.
A graduate of Washington National Opera’s prestigious Cafritz Young Artist Program, Weiser holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in vocal performance from Roosevelt University, and an artist diploma from Chicago Opera Theater. He has also received recognition in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the Laffont Competition.
The recital provides EAC students, faculty, and community members with an opportunity to experience professional-level classical vocal performance in an intimate concert setting. Events such as this reflect the College’s commitment to enriching the cultural life of the Gila Valley and connecting students with accomplished performing artists.
Admission is free, and no tickets are required.
For more information about Eastern Arizona College’s music department and upcoming performances, visit www.eac.edu.
About Eastern Arizona College
Founded in 1888, Eastern Arizona College is Arizona’s oldest community college. EAC offers a wide range of academic, career, technical, and fine arts programs designed to prepare students for university transfer, workforce success, and lifelong learning. Located in Thatcher, Arizona, the College is committed to providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality educational opportunities to the communities it serves.
