Hailed by Opera News as “a natural comedian and a fine singer,” Andrew Wilkowske is a dynamic performer known for his captivating presence on the opera and theater stages. With over 35 productions at Minnesota Opera and appearances at companies including Los Angeles Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Austin Opera, Atlanta Opera, Opera Philadelphia, and Chicago Opera Theater, Wilkowske has established himself as a fine singing actor and a top-notch colleague.
In addition to his “vocal swagger” (Opera News) in standard operatic repertoire, he has participated in several world premieres, notably Silent Night by Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell, and The Grapes of Wrath by Ricky Ian Gordon and Michael Korie.
As a creator, Wilkowske has launched numerous innovative projects, embracing the fusion of genres. Bringing classical techniques to rock songs and infusing rock sensibility into classical art songs, his rock recital, Guns N’Rosenkavalier, was described as “a smashing success” (Shepherd Express). With librettist Kelley Rourke, Wilkowske was commissioned by Theater Latte Da in Minneapolis to reimagine Verdi/Piave's opera “Macbeth” as "Macbeth and the Weïrd Sisters" for rock band instrumentation, featured in the company’s 2023 Next Festival. Additionally, he was commissioned by Minnesota Opera to create a half-hour gala program called "A Night at the POPera," creatively merging opera and pop hits through the decades.
Wilkowske resides in St. Paul, MN. He received training from the University of Minnesota Duluth and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.