Jay Lucas Chacon
Described as “clownish perfection” (Jonathan Warman, DramaqueenNYC) and “highly entertaining throughout” (Logan Martell, Operawire) for his creation of Sandrino in the uncovered Salieri opera La Cifra with dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, Jay Lucas Chacon (he/him) has become an active and noticeable artist in NYC.
Jay recently returned to live performance appearing as Jim in Peter Ektroms Gift of the Magi with Queens Opera Theatre and covering Silvio in New Camerata Opera’s production of Cav+Pag. Jay also performed with Write Act Rep in a concert A Good Day of music by off-Broadway composer Eric Sirota, singing music of the character Sam in his developmental work A Good Day, a musical about dealing with Alzheimer’s. Breaking into the film world Jay worked as an extra in the Spanish language short film Sin Fondo with Ripple Effect Artists and played the Inkeeper in a film version of Sirota’s Frankenstein with Write Act Rep.
Jay is the founder/director of ViOp Productions, a virtual performing company producing work and opportunities through virtual medium creating opera on film, filmed concerts and online recitals, and virtual readings. He produced and performed with tenor John Riesen in a duet recital Crossing Paths, Rodolfo in a socially distanced film version of La bohème Act 3 by Leoncavallo, The Spirit of Christmas; a holiday special, as Anatoly in The CHESS Project, and produced/directed/sang in The Strong Ones, a music video series of operatic and musical theater works focusing on mental and emotional health. Jay also conceived and produced An American’s Journey; a monodrama of Aaron Copland’ Old American Songs, directed a film of Mascagni’ Zanetto, and a recital of African American music featuring soprano Stephanie Ball on location in Washington DC.
In his desire to champion new music, Jay joined New Camerata Opera’ branch of opera-on-film, CamerataWorks, for their commission of Whitney George’ opera Julie in the role of Duc de Durfort which premiered in June 2020. Jay has also performed the role of Brently in Michael Valenti’ Story of an Hour with Gramercy Opera and created the role of Richard in the premiere of David Chesky’s opera La Farranucci with Operavocateur Productions. In 2018, Jay was seen with Center for Contemporary Opera in their Developmental Series as the Soldier in Scott Wheeler’ The Sorrows of Frederick.
Jay’s career as a performer has showcased a wide array of roles throughout NYC, regionally, and internationally. In 2020, Jay performed the role of Mrs. Pig with On Site Opera in their productions of Shostakovich’ The Tale of the Silly Baby Mouse, and was slated to join them at The Caramoor Festival for the Paisiello Il Barbiere di Sivigliglia (cancelled due to COVID). 2019 saw Jay make his international debut in Montréal as a guest artist with L’Institut Canadien d’Art Vocal performing the role of Rodolfo in the Leoncavallo La bohème. This was followed by his main stage debut with New Camerata Opera in NYC for their production of the zarzuela El Barbero de Sevilla in the role of Benito. Earlier in the year, Jay returned to Brooklyn Philharmonia Chorus for the role of Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana where he had previously performed the Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem and as Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors. During the summer of 2017, Jay returned to Apotheosis Opera, performing the role of The Count in Capriccio where he debuted as Handsome in La Fanciulla del West the previous year. Jay has twice interpreted the role of Schaunard in La bohème with Long Island Opera Company and Saint Petersburg Opera Company. Jay has also had performances with Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre as Innkeeper/Governor in Man of La Mancha, Bronx Opera as George Page in Sir John in Love, and Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro with Manhattan Opera Studio as well the Paisiello Il Barbiere di Siviglia with dell’Arte Opera Ensemble.
Jay has been a member of the Austin Opera chorus and sang with Union Avenue Opera and Winter Opera Saint Louis. While in Austin, Jay was a member of Cindy Sadler’s training program Spotlight on Opera where he sang the title role in Gianni Schicchi, Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana, and Sam In Trouble in Tahiti. Jay also spent 3 summers with the Austrian American Mozart Academy in Salzburg, Austria where he sang Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro and Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus.
