Athlone Artists Launches with the Aim to Cultivate Brilliant Artistry

Boston-based Boutique Agency Represents a Roster of 22 Opera and Concert Artists including tenor John Bellemer, bass Brian Kontes, soprano Meredith Hansen, conductor Tyson Deaton and Grammy nominated tenor Karim Sulayman

Athlone’s Founder and President Miguel A. Rodríguez is a Longtime Industry Executive with 20 years leading some of New England’s most acclaimed cultural organizations

January 15, 2019 – NEW YORK, NY – Today marks the official launch of Athlone Artists, a boutique agency offering international representation for opera and concert artists. Founded by longtime music industry leader Miguel A. Rodriguez and entrepreneur Barry Hume, Athlone boasts a roster of 22 artists including singers, stage directors and conductors. “Our goal is to offer a personable approach to artist management, and help steward, develop and maximize the careers of an exclusive roster of classical singers, conductors and stage directors,” says Rodriguez.  

The Athlone Artists roster is comprised of a diverse group from all levels of the profession, including established singers such as tenor John Bellemer, soprano Meredith Hansen, conductor Tyson Deaton, stage director Mary Birnbaum and Metropolitan Opera bass Brian Kontes. Some extraordinary emerging artists include American sopranos Emily Misch and Chelsea Friedlander, Chinese baritone Xiaomeng Zhang, and fierce countertenor Logan Tanner.

For a survey of the entire roster visit www.athloneartists.com

A champion for individuality, Athlone Artists’ core values include a pledge to integrity, mentorship, diversity and inclusiveness of all levels of the profession, creativity, innovation and passion.

Athlone Artists gets its name from an Irish town town located in the heart of Ireland that Rodriguez recently visited.  “I learned that Athlone has been an important town since the middle ages,” says Rodriguez, “because of its location at one of the narrowest points of the River Shannon, Athlone and its historical bridge have been an important meeting point for commerce. This image translated perfectly into my vision for the agency as a convening center for, and a bridge between artists, presenters and patrons.”

Athlone Artists: Cultivating Brilliant Artistry

“Classical singers, conductors and stage directors are constantly honing their craft” Rodriguez says. “Achieving the technical skills and musicianship necessary in this industry is just part of what it takes to become a successful artist. What makes a great artist great is what sets them apart from everyone else. Cultivating brilliant artistry means helping our artists find their own particular voice and individuality among a world of great performers, and then allowing it to shine so audiences can be moved and transported every time they are on stage.”

Brilliant artistry is molded not only by academic achievements and training, but by life’s journey. “Where we come from, our life experiences, our families and relationships, our own unique passions and struggles shape who we are,” says Rodriguez. “Great artists learn to use these experiences to put forward moving and brilliant performances. I believe our artists’ life journeys inform their artistry to help them create unforgettable moments on stage.”

About Athlone Artists Founder Miguel A. Rodriguez

Athlone Founder and President Miguel A. Rodríguez has spent the past 20 years leading some of New England’s most acclaimed cultural organizations. Most recently he served as Executive Director of Boston Baroque, America’s oldest period-instrument orchestra. During his six-year tenure he helped raise the company’s profile by elevating the artistic level of its guest soloists, developed new community outreach initiatives, launched Boston Baroque Radio, and refreshed the image of the organization through innovation, improved branding and social media engagement.

His prior experience also includes senior executive positions with Opera Boston, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Boston Musica Viva and Scullers Jazz Club. In 2007 he was one of a small number of leaders selected by the Massachusetts Cultural Council to participate in the first Executive Leadership Program for Non-Profit Cultural Organizations at the Harvard University, JFK School of Government.  Trained as an opera singer, Miguel studied voice at the University of Michigan with soprano Martha Sheil and tenor George Shirley, and graduate studies under renown soprano Phyllis Curtin at Boston University. He currently serves as President of the Board of Early Music America and is an active member of the North American Performing Artists Managers and Agents, Opera America, the League of Symphony Orchestras and the Association of Performing Arts Professionals.

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Rebecca Davis

Rebecca Davis Public Relations

Rebecca@rebeccadavispr.com

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