We were lucky to catch up with John Riesen recently and have shared our conversation below.

John, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Last month, at the end of August, I had the great pleasure of joining a group on America’s Got Talent to perform for millions of people on national TV. Every step of the way was surreal, and like living out a dream! Together with tenor Daniel Emmet, and counter-tenor Patrick Dailey, the 3 of us sang the famous opera aria, “Nessun Dorma”, while our faces were transformed into the faces of Terry Crews, Simon Cowell, and Howie Mandel. The group was Metaphysic, who ended up taking 4th in the finals of America’s Got Talent, represented by Chris Ume and Thomas Graham.

From the moment Metaphysic asked me to represent their incredible talents as the voice of Howie Mandel, to the deafening roar of the crowd as Simon Cowell said that our act was, “The best act of the series”… my heart wouldn’t stop racing with excitement.

As an operatic tenor and classical crossover performer, I am used to singing on stages for large audiences, but to sing in front of millions of people? That was truly a pleasure. I cannot thank Chris Ume and Thomas Graham at Metaphysic for allowing me the opportunity to perform in the AGT semi-finals, and to receive SUCH overwhelmingly positive responses. And the team was like a family… from us singers to the tech guys, to the families of the Metaphysic team: a family. I am honored to have been involved!

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Vegas based Tenor Daniel Emmet, Nashville based counter-tenor Patrick Dailey and I teamed up with AI technology
wizards, Thomas Graham and Chris Umé of Metaphysic, to perform “Nessun Dorma” on
the LIVE semi-finals round of American’s Got Talent (8/30/22). Metaphysic moved on to
the finals on 9/13 and on 9/14, the group came in 4th in the competition.

“It was epic…beautiful singing. The opera was amazing!” – Heidi Klum, AGT judge

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My path has been a bit unique. I grew up in the Detroit-area as a baseball player– a pitcher to be exact. I loved playing ball, and ended up being awarded All-Region and All-State Academic honors. It wasn’t until my upper teen years that I was introduced to singing, and from there it became my life. I was originally a Voice Performance major with a speciality in opera singer at Michigan State University, studying under Metropolitan Opera tenor Richard Fracker– and in the 6 years I spent at MSU was lucky to have had the opportunity to compete in and win many vocal competitions around the U.S.. From there, I went out into the performance world, and before too long was signed to NYC management team, ADA Artists Management. In 2017, I was asked to try something somewhat new for me, to sing the voice of Tony in West Side Story at the Lincoln Center in NYC for the NYCBallet. This opportunity opened many doors into musical theater which led to my “crossing over” into things such as more productions as Tony in West Side Story, Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Bill in Kiss Me Kate, Pirelli in Sweeney Todd and many other wonderful shows.

Things continued to grow from there, with the release of my first album, “What You’d Call a Dream”– featuring the title song about reliving a memory of playing baseball! I began to invest time into my online music (specifically Spotify) and gained millions of streams. It was surreal.

As things have continued to grow, more and more amazing opportunities have come, leading to America’s Got Talent.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Ever since I was introduced to classical music and classical singing (both broadway and opera) I’ve been shocked at the popular view of them. I, too, was one of the many in our country that feels it’s, “Elitist, boring, old-school, no-fun, not for me, old fat people with blonde braids” and any number of other negative stereotypes that exist. Once I was introduced to what opera, theater, and classical music was actually about my mind was blown.

I’ve really taken it as part of my mission to show people that classical singing isn’t this weird, alien thing, but rather a part of our history and a beautiful, powerful, enjoyable form of music that is represented by people like me: baseball loving, athletic, parent of a 2 year old, happily married, normal American guy. To quote my friend Daniel Emmet (who was the voice of Simon Cowell on AGT next to me): “I want to be a gateway drug for the popular audience, to show them that this form of singing isn’t scary, but is super cool!”

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Often times in concerts for a more popular audience, I’ll describe what it feels like to be a pitcher on the mound: isolated, with each play starting with you. Pressure is on for each and every pitch you throw, and your team is waiting in anticipation for the results. It’s a highly technical position, where you have to gauge your stamina, and weigh how hard (or which pitch) to throw as the game continues. There is a lot of balance and breath involved, and you give your all each and every game without holding back. This experience I’m describing also describes what it’s like to be a classical singer. Standing on stage, singing at the top of your lungs while thousands (or millions) watch, not holding back and having to make sure you don’t burn out. When I turned from being a high level pitcher to a singer, my mind was blown by how similar the experience was. I truly hope that people reading will take a moment to check out what I do, and see that it isn’t so different or strange, but is so familiar and powerful!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.johnriesen.com
• Instagram: johnriesen
• Facebook: johnriesentenor
• Twitter: john_riesen
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/riesenjohn
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/10GHM9JOaF3TLlHWwfApno?si=V4xVLY_FRoK5_UMTPXvU2Q

Image Credits
Emitha LLC