His operatic roles have included Mozart’s “Papageno” and “Guglielmo” together with Rossini’s “Figaro” and “Dandini”. He has a great love of music theatre and has sung musicals such as “Kiss me Kate”, “Show Boat” and contemporary works such as “Candide” and Cy Coleman’s “The Life”. He has created roles in 6 world premieres of modern operas and made numerous broadcast recordings.

An entertainer at heart, his solo concerts feature a compilation of nostalgic songs and arias which stir the imagination. He sings songs from his native Ireland and the swing era revisited in beautiful café orchestra settings. Half forgotten favourites such as “Lily Marleen” sit elegantly with perennials such as “A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square” and Charles Trenet’s “La Mer”. Together with distinctive interpretations of Rossini, Mozart and other classical masterpieces this engaging repertoire, sung in Spanish, English, French and German showcases Wolfe’s luxurious baritone, his sensitive musical understanding and his flair for comedy.

Nyle sang his first concert at the tender age of 6 performing “White Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” in his local Church. His introduction to theatre audiences soon followed at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton in the Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Gondoliers”. A simple “Sing and Get Paid for It!” ad in the local newspaper led to his professional debut in Cork’s Opera House. He graduated London’s Royal Academy of Music with their highest academic award and won a scholarship to complete his training at Zurich’s prestigious International Opera Studio. He is the winner of several international singing competitions and awards. After thousands of performances in distinguished venues throughout Europe and the Americas he has honed a reputation as one of the most talented opera singers of his generation. He has sung for monarchs and presidents including Queen Elizabeth II and Bill Clinton as well as Ireland’s own Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese.

Stylish and charming, Nyle is the eldest of six children. Always encouraged by their parents to follow their dreams, three of his siblings are also employed in the entertainment industry. He regularly works on outreach programs for children and has a strong relationship with his local community. An accomplished web designer and chef, he planned and built his family home in Co Limerick, Ireland where he resides with his wife and three children.

It was in Cork that Nyle met opera singer and impresario John O’Flynn through an advertisement in the Cork Examiner, headed “Sing and Get Paid for it!”

Mr. O’Flynn was at the time the artistic director of the fledgling Irish Operatic Repertory Company. Following a brief audition, Nyle was engaged as a member of the chorus and the Young Singer programme, supported by FAS.

Nyle in Big Hat

Two months later, he made his professional debut at the Fir Grove Hotel in Mitchelstown, Co Cork, singing the sextet from Lucia de Lammermour in the distinguished company of John O’Flynn himself and acclaimed Irish soprano Cara O’Sullivan. His first appearance of many engagements at Cork Opera House took place the following Spring as a flunkey in The Student Prince. Over the next 18 months Nyle developed his vocal abilities under the careful tutelage of John O’Flynn before the FAS scheme ended. Over the following summer, Nyle worked in Trabolgan Holiday Village where he was able to guest star with several of Ireland’s leading performers of the time, including Joe Mac and Sonny Knowles. While in Trabolgan, Nyle was approached by researchers from RTE, which led to his first television appearance on the late Gerry Ryan’s “Secrets”, singing Somewhere over the Rainbow.

A period of study at the Cork School of Music with veteran tenor John Carolan began in the autumn of 1993. With Carolan’s

Trabolgan Bluecoat team 1992

guidance Nyle won Several Prizes at Cork’s Feis Maitiu including Male Solo and Music Theatre. His first part in Cork’s Everyman Palace as the Mayor of the Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz was followed by his first major opera role as Pish Tush in the IORC production of The Mikado in Cork Opera House. Soon after began a long association with Shannon Heritage in Bunratty, Knappogue and Dunguaire Castles. With the cast of the castles, he sang at the Rose of Tralee International Festival at the Dome to several million television viewers world wide. At the Rose Festival, he met Mr Gay Byrne. He later sang the role of The Pirate King in the live broadcast of The Pirates of Penzance on The Gay Byrne Show and songs from Oklahoma and The Gondoliers on The Late Late Show.

Thanks to financial support from Shannon Heritage, Nyle moved to Dublin to further his opera studies at the Leinster Opera Studio with the acclaimed Dr Veronica Dunne and musical director David Wray.

With the studio, Nyle sang in various venues around the country, including the Galway Arts Festival. He won opera solo, duet and music theatre competitions at the Centenary Feis Ceoil. He was invited to sing with many concerts and productions in Dublin including Rathmines & Rathgar and Glasnevin Musical Societies. He sang the role of Morales in Bernadette Greevy’s production of Carmen in the National Concert Hall and Second Armed Man in the then Dublin Grand Opera Society’s

Pirates Of Penzance

production of The Magic Flute. He met and sang for former President Mary Robinson, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and at the West Belfast Arts Festival Gerry Adams. He also sang in many concerts and recitals for RTE Radio programmes for producers Kevin Hough and Jane Carty.

London was Nyle’s next destination and the 2 year post graduate study at the Royal Academy of Music, (part funded by Irish Actors Equity and Scotland’s Caird Trust), where he graduated “summa cum laude”. During his time here, he travelled home to Ireland to sing, most notably La Boheme in Cork Opera House, La Traviata in the National Concert Hall and the Merry Widow in University Concert Hall, Limerick. Performances in the UK included Don Giovanni in Cambridge and Albert Herring and Le Rossignol in London, as well as concerts for Queen Elizabeth II, her family and members of the British Parliament. In competition, Nyle won the Mary Garden Interational Singing Competition in Aberdeen, the 3FM Special Prize in the inaugural Veronica Dunne Singing Competition and was finalist in the Scottish Opera Competition.

Following his performance of Don Giovanni, Nyle was approached by Brian Dickie to sing Don Pedro in Beatrice and Benedict in Baden Baden and Paris with European Opera . He returned to Dublin once more to sing in Salome and Lady Macbeth of Mtensk with the newly renamed Opera Ireland. Following the advice of Opera Ireland’s Artistic Director, Dieter Kaegi, a year of final study followed in Switzerland, at the Zurich Opera House where he sang Baculus in Der Wildschutz.

Following Zurich, Nyle was engaged as principal lyric baritone at the Musiktheater im Revier, Gelsenkirchen. In Gelsenkirchen, he sang hundreds of performances, including La Cenerentola, L’Elisir D’Amore, Cosi fan Tutte, the Barber of Seville and the World Premiere of Mullenbach‘s Die Todesbrucke to name but a few. Despite this hectic schedule, Nyle still found time to guest with other prestigious opera companies, including Opera Ireland (The Silver Tassie) and Cologne, (La Finta Giardiniera). Nyle was also able to explore the repertoire of the American Musical in productions of Kiss Me Kate, Crazy For You and Cy Coleman’s The Life as well as popular repertoire with concerts of music associated with artists such as Sinatra, Elvis and The Blues Brothers.

In November 2006 Nyle was thrilled to return to the theatre where he made his debut. His performance as Figaro in Rossini’s Barber of Seville at Cork Opera House won him much praise from the public and press and was a highlight for him on his musical journey.

Also in 2006 Nyle moved home to Ireland to concentrate on a new project. Together with his long time collaborator David Wray they set about producing Nyle’s first commercial solo recording. “Moodswings” was recorded in Wicklow with co producer Mark McCabe and a lineup of the country’s top musicians. To promote the album Nyle set out on an extensive nation-wide tour during 2007. Reaction to the live show and recording was fantastic and internet interest resulted in invitations to sing in the USA and radio play as far away as New Zealand.

In 2008 Nyle took to the seas for the first time as a guest entertainer on a number of five star cruise ships. He was also to appear at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano in California for a solo concert which raised a quarter million dollars. With RTE and Opera Ireland he recorded Mr Page in the first recording of Balfe’s Falstaff and sang Demetrius in A Midsummer Nights Dream for OI.

2009 started with a new recording in New York. Titled HomeGround it is a collection of Irish and American folk songs. Nyle was delighted to work with an amazing band for the project. Arrangements were again written by David Wray and the recoding was mixed and mastered by Robert Smith in Kampo Studios. Durring 2009 Nyle established an agency “Singers for Hire” with his partner Riah. In it’s first three years the agency has gone from strength to strength booking singers for over 500 events in locations in Europe and the USA. Nyle was delighted to sing at the opening of The Cork International Choral Festival in The Sea Symphony by Ralph Vaughan Williams and at the Cork Opera House in the title role of Bernstein’s Candide. He maintained a busy concert schedule with appearances in Ireland and the US.

2010 started with a recital at the National Concert Hall Dublin, a puppet driven production of the Magic Flute in Cork and Romeo and Juliet in Dublin. It also saw no fewer than 200 appearances for Nyle as his alter ego Marco the Operatic Chef including at the birthday party of Price Albert of Monaco. Since his fist appearance on New Year eve 2004, Marco has been leaving the kitchen to serenade unsuspecting dinner guests more and more often and during 2010 demand reached fever pitch. The Operatic chef’s surprise dinner shows have proved the perfect vehicle for Nyle’s voice and comic talents and has nearly eclipsed Nyle’s other accomplishments. The year ended with a role in Tosca for Opera Ireland’s last production as the company finished producing opera after 74 years.

In 2011 Nyle sang for Sky Arts at The Dublin Writer’s Week and took Marco to Berlin and New York for the first time. He completed his fifth artist in residence programme for Limerick County Council and for the first time a series of lectures for University College Cork. He also sang a number of concerts for charity raising several thousand Euros.

Recorded in New York at Kampo Studios in January 2009, Nyle is accompanied by an impressive international line-up.

New Yorker Jeff Lipstein plays percussion. Jeff has performed with artists such as David Johansen, The East Village Opera Company, Blue Man Group and Rebekah Jordan.  Jeff is currently performing the Broadway production of “Spring Awakening”.

Both acoustic and electric bass are provided by kiwi, Richard Hammond. Born in Dargaville, New Zealand Richard moved to Auckland at age 18 and quickly became one of the most in-demand bassists, performing and recording with New Zealand’s top artists, including Nathan Haines, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Moana & the Moahunters, The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Tim Finn.

Tara Novak shines on violin and also contributes to many of the arrangements on the album. Tara ascribes her broad range of technique to her years spent studying with the international concert violinist Benny Kim, time spent at Berklee College of Music, and the diversity demanded of a free-lancing musician.

Busy on flute, clarinet and soprano saxophone, Hawaiian woodwind player Allen Won adds an extra cultural element to the collection. Allen’s eclectic performance itinerary has encompassed playing with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, many of the orchestras in and around New York including the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet, the City Opera, The New Jersey Philharmonic and various jazz and experimental groups.

The vast talent of David Wray solidifies the recording with his sensitive arrangements and beautiful piano playing. David trained at Lancaster University and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. He was assistant to the director of The English Bach Festival, London and is currently artistic director of Music Theatre Ireland, Opera in the Open, Dublin, The Three Irish Tenors and for American songstress Danna Davis.

The all important mixing and mastering was done by Robert L. Smith, assisted by Ariosto Arata. After 20 years of working with the biggest names in music, Robert’s resume reads like a who’s who of modern pop music. His experience with working with the best musicians in the world has given him a unique perspective. His past clients include: Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Billy Joel, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Neil Young, George Benson, Harry Connick Jr., Antonio Carlos Jobim, Diana Ross

Last but not least the vocalist, Nyle Wolfe.

Home Ground

Nyle Wolfe – Vocals
David Wray – Piano
Jeff Lipstein – Percussion
Richard Hammond – Bass
Tara Novak – Violin
Allen Won – Woodwind
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Robert L. Smith
Kampo Studios & Defy Recordings NYC Assistant Engineer: Ariosto Arata
Produced by Nyle P. Wolfe   Co-Produced and Musical Direction David Wray

1. Black is the Colour
2. Molly Malone
3. Maire My Girl
4. She Moved Through the Fair
5. Red Is the Rose
6. The Kerry Dance
7. Raglan Road
8. Hard Times Come Again No More
9. Shamrock Shore /Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears
10. Danny Boy
11. The Dublin Saunter

Written for the musical “Jubilee”, Cole Porter’s “Ritmo Anhelante de Amor” (Begin the Beguine) from 1935 is one of the most covered songs of all time. Porter wrote music while on a world trip in 1935. Particularly affected by the dance rhythms of the Caribbean, The “beguine” is a dance from the Martinique and Guadeloupe islands and translates roughly as “flirt”. The composer became aware of it not in the Caribbean but in Paris, where it had been popular since the world fair of 1931. The tune was popularized by a big band version from Artie Shaw in 1936. Four years later the dream pair of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers brought the song to the silver screen in “Broadway Melody”. The Spanish text, published alongside the English in 1935 is by the Mexican composer Maria Grever. Already well established in the New York music scene since the 20’s, her own songs include “What a Difference a Day Makes” and “Ti-Pi-Tin”.

With their fantastic stories of luck and hope and positive emotions of friendship and romantic love, 1930’s film musicals offered an escape from the grey reality of everyday life. The 1934 film “Moulin Rouge” a remake of the silent film “Her Sister From Paris” is one of the few exceptions. For the score Al Dublin and Harry Warren wrote “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” sung by Constance Bennet. The song reached number six in the American charts in a version by Jan Garber and his Orchestra. The song combines Latin-American rhythm and a text yearning for Paris. A similar blend is found in the other 1930’s classic “Granada”, from the pen of Mexican composer Agustin Lara.

In his youth the songwriter worked as a pianist in a bordello and later as accompanist for silent films in the cinemas of Mexico City. He wrote music for several films and appeared himself in the 1948 film “Revancha”. Although the song evokes in text and music the city of Granada, the composer had to wait 20 years for the opportunity to visit Spain and confirm that his fantasy spoke the truth.

Employed in the French film industry Charles Trenet was responsible for bringing the American influences of jazz and swing to French chanson repertoire. His song “La Mer”, reputed to have been written in less than 20 minutes while travelling on a train is an optimistic and impressionistic description of the sea. Not an immediate hit, today it is regarded alongside Edith Piaf’s “La Vie En Rose” as probably the most famous song in the French repertoire.

On the streets around Paris’ Moulin Rouge, where Trenet spent much of his time Edith Piaf began her journey to world fame. Her songs, often on the subject of love and especially unlucky love use simple text which deeply affects the listener, verses that make one dream. She often wrote poems for her students to intone and so Eddie Considine became the first interpreter of “Hymn L’Amour” with the music written by Piaf’s long time collaborator Marguerite Monnot. Another of Piaf’s protégés, Yves Montand enjoyed success as both singer and film star. During filming of “Les Portes de la Nuit” he met the poet Jacques Prévert and composer Joseph Kosma. The film based on the pair’s ballet “Le Rendez-vous” was less than successful but one of its’ songs “Feuilles Mortes” was added to the singer’s repertoire and by the end of his career became his most requested number.

In the 40’s and 50’s many French singers toured the USA and several of their songs entered the American repertoire. The French jazz pianist and composer Michael Legrand was one of the artists to travel to America. There he enjoyed great success as a Hollywood composer. His 1964 Film “Parapluies de Cherbourg” starring Jacques Demy and Catherine Deneuve, was nominated for five Oscars – three alone for music, including the title song “I Will Wait For You”. The English version of the song was made fashionable by Bobby Darin in 1966. At the beginning of the sixties a swing version of Manning Sherwin and Eric Maschwitz’s “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” also belonged to Darin’s repertoire. The song was originally written for the musical “New Faces” and made popular in a version by Vera Lynn in 1940. Despite its European beginnings the song counts as one of the gems in the Great American Song Book. Another European inclusion and also from a film score is “More (Ti Guarderó nel Cuore)” from Italian film composer and jazz musician Riz Ortolani. Written in 1962 for the very forgettable anti-documentary film “Mondo Cane” the song was nominated for both an Oscar and a Grammy. From another Italian film composer comes “You’re Still You”. This song, written by Ennio Morricone with English text by Linda Thompson, made a star of Josh Groban when he sang it in the Hit TV series Ally McBeal. It was originally performed in the Italian drama “Malèna” (2000) directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. Morricone began working in the film industry in the sixties and has scored over 500 films. The last song in the collection is both older and younger than all the rest. It has its beginnings in 1932 in Baltimore but completion in England in 1990. The poem “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” is reputed to have been penned by Mary E Frye. In just 50 years the poem became one the most loved in the English language. It came to the notice of composer Geoff Stephens after being printed in the Daily Mail. The newspaper printed it following the death of a young soldier who had left the poem in an envelope intended for his parents in the event of his death.

NPW

David Wray – Piano/Keyboards, Cora Venus Lunny – Violin/Viola,

Ellen Crannitch – Flute, Brendan Doyle – Clarinet,

Stephen McDonnell – Trumpet, Karl Ronan – Trombone,

Dermot Dunne –Accordion, Karl Breen (Guitar),

Malachi Robinson – Double Bass, Des Lacey – Drums/Percussion

Musical Arrangements David Wray: 1, 2,4,5,6,7,8,10 Michael Casey: 3,9,11

Produced by David Wray and Nyle Wolfe

Co-produced by Mark McCabe

Recorded and Mixed by Mark McCabe

Nyle has a wealth of experience and much success working with groups of adults and children, explaining about the art of singing and theatre performance. He’ll dispel the myths surrounding opera and classical music, making both accessible, interesting and fun. The importance of rhythm, teamwork, imagination, concentration and musical appreciation are some of the points covered in very interactive presentations which can be tailored to each group hour, including a performance of songs by Nyle.

He  likes  to work with groups of up to 30 at a time and requires a room or space where one could engage in some physical activity.

Testimonials

“In introducing the world of opera to our students, Nyle captivated his audience with tales of his operatic life, the mastery of his craft and the practicalities of being an opera singer. The students were actively involved in rhythmic and melodic exercises. Nyle’s experience of interacting with children was evident. The climax of the afternoon was a stirring rendition of ‘Granada’ which filled the hall and mesmerised both pupils and staff. I have no hesitation in recommending Nyle’s workshop to any school. It was a most enjoyable experience”

“Nyle Wolfe introduced the children and staff in a very special way to his discipline. He explains the mysteries of classical music and opera in an exciting and understandable way. He showed the children new and exciting career possibilities and let them hear a real live opera singer, for some a once in a life time opportunity. I would wholeheartedly recommend the workshop to any school”

Marco is always on his last night in the hotel and wants to check that everything is to the guests’ expectations. While he has the microphone he would like to thank his employers. He’s moving to Las Vegas to pursue a career as an Elvis impersonator – of course everyone wants him to sing but no-one expects what happens next….

Marco’s most popular songs include Agustín Lara’s spectacular “Granada”, the Dean Martin hit “That’s Amore”, “O Sole Mio” the classic Neapolitan serenade, the ever popular “Funiculi Funicula”, Sinatra classics “New York, New York” and “My Way” with the wonderful “Time to Say Goodbye” finale and many, many more…

Standing ovations are guaranteed!!!

A long time favorite in our house this classic has many variations.

What you need

150ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
75g pine nuts / walnuts or peanuts
3 garlic cloves, halved
150g basil leaves
150g freshly grated Parmesan or other Italian hard cheese

A traditional recipe will call for pine nuts but these can be hard to find and expensive.
I often substitute walnuts or even dry roasted peanuts. Most important for me is a good quality olive oil and fresh basil leaves.
You can buy basil plants in many supermarkets and I normally use the whole pot plant. Basil like rocket will grow well in your garden, sometimes to well. If you don’t have a food blender, a hand blender will also work or you can try the authentic mortar and pestle but that will take a lot longer.

1. Wash the basil leaves.
2. Put basil, olive oil, nuts, cheese and garlic in blender
3. Blend to a smooth paste don’t over do it!
4. Serve with your favorite pasta and fresh cook garlic bread or try on a baked potato.

Marco!