51福利社

It would be easy to assume that baritone Thomas Hampson has moved on from his eastern Washington roots. The Eastern alumnus doesn鈥檛 need anyone new to mention that he鈥檚 distinctly gifted, naturally expressive, charismatic or good-looking (opera buffs call him 鈥淭homas Handsome鈥�). Audiences love him.

Hampson (鈥�92 BA government) packs opera houses on both sides of the Atlantic. Critics laud him for his vast repertoire of operatic roles, all backed by extensive musicological research. More than that, he鈥檚 been an iconic figure in U.S. opera, championing the art to younger, successive generations.