Much sought after for his versatility both vocally and dramatically, Rod Nelman's repertoire ranges from Richard Strauss, Verdi and Wagner to Mozart, Donizetti and Rossini. Mr. Nelman recently received rave reviews for his portrayal of Wotan and the Wanderer in Wagner’s Ring Cycle for both Long Beach Opera and Pittsburgh Opera Theater. Critics called his performance “astonishing” and “rock solid.” “Enough cannot be said about Rod Nelman as Wotan, convincingly solid in stature and voice. The words seem to blast imperiously from his lips.” “His voice is powerful, and his Wotan grows over the three operas.” The festival schedule had him sing Rheingold and Die Walküre in one day and Siegfried the following afternoon. An artist with “incredible vocal talents,” Opera News said “Rod Nelman sang all three Wotans valiantly, within a span of twenty-six hours, sounding as fresh when Siegfried broke his spear as he had in his opening lines on the mountaintop above the Rhine.”
Also well known for his critically acclaimed portrayal of George in Carlisle Floyd's Of Mice and Men, Mr. Nelman has performed the role in Francesca Zambello's production with the Washington Opera at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and in Rhoda Levine's production with Florentine Opera, New York City Opera, and Glimmerglass Opera – a performance that was broadcast nationwide on NPR World of Opera.
Other performances include Kublai Khan in the North American premiere of Tan Dun's Marco Polo with New York City Opera, Sir Morosus in the West Coast premiere of Die Schweigsame Frau with Long Beach Opera, Osmin in Die Entfürung aus dem Serail with Orlando Opera, Mustafa in L'Italiana in Algeri with New York City Opera, Fort Worth Opera, and Knoxville Opera, Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro with Palm Beach Opera,New York City Opera and Opera Festival of New Jersey and Indianapolis Opera, Don Alfonso in Cosi fan tutte with Sacramento Opera, Leopold Mozart in Michael Nyman’s Letters, Riddles and Writs with Long Beach Opera, Colline in La Bohème with Florida Grand Opera, Indianapolis Opera and Dayton Opera, Timur in Turandot with the Rochester Philharmonic and Chattanooga Opera, Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Portland Opera, Opera Kentucky and Fort Worth Opera, the title role in Don Pasquale with Opera Quebec, Orlando Opera and Virginia Opera, Wesener in Gurlitt's Die Soldaten with Opera Nantes, Dr. Dulcamara in L'Elisir d'Amore with Washington Opera and Orlando Opera, Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Opera Carolina and Orlando Opera, and Padre Anton in El Gato Montes with Washington Opera. Future engagements include his first Scarpia in Tosca with Sacramento Opera and Sulpice inLa fille du régiment with Indianapolis Opera.