BEN BONGERS sang the same role with New West Symphonies recently to great acclaim, the L.A. Times noting his "free and powerful voice". On another success the San Francisco Chronicle wrote, "As Walther von Stolzing (in Der Meistersinger), Bongers gave an ardent performance, rising easily to the role's high notes and delivering the lyrical phrases of the Prize Song with elegant fluency". Mr. Bongers has been apprenticed with Utah Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City and Utah Festival Opera. He has been engaged with Utah Opera, Springfield Regional Opera, Nashville Opera, Opera Delaware, Opera/Columbus, Dayton Opera and has sung throughout Europe. He has also recorded the role of Mr. Buttler in The Devil & Daniel Webster, available on the Newport Classics label.