Young Artists Take Opera out to the Ballgame

Seattle sports fans received an operatic welcome to Qwest and Safeco Fields last week, when two former Seattle Opera Young Artists, Marcus Shelton and Noah Baetge, sang the Star-Spangled Banner at recent baseball and football games.

Shelton, a Young Artist for the past two seasons, performed before the September 9 Mariners game, a night that also served as a BRAVO! Club event. BRAVO! Club Vice President of Events Andrea Bettger said she was thrilled with the opportunity to bring together baseball and opera. “It was great to see and hear a familiar face up there performing in front of Seattle,” she said.

Baetge, also a Young Artist between 2006 and 2008 and a guest artist this season, performed at the September 14 Seahawks game. He has worn suits for his two previous national anthem performances, but the Seahawks requested he wear a tuxedo for the Seattle season opener. Baetge may have looked a little out of place amidst the jersey-clad and painted football fans, but he showed his team sprit with a blue vest and green pocket square. Though he’s used to performing in front of large crowds, it’s an entirely different experience with the sports-stadium performances Baetge said, because of the nearly 70,000 people singing along with him. “It’s just electrifying to sing for the crowd,” he said. “I love bringing opera to people who have never experienced it before.”