Biography

Obed Floan is a rare voice in the 21st century, possessing the natural qualities of a Heldentenor reminiscent of opera’s golden age. Critics have celebrated his voice for its “unforced power, purity of tone, and all the vocal bloom of youth” with a “genuine helden sound” (Wagner Society of Ohio). The Brooklyn Daily Eagle praised his performance of “Nothung! Nothung!” from Wagner’s Siegfried as being delivered “in a voice of spun gold.”

Floan began his operatic journey performing various roles including First Armored Man in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Basilio in Le nozze di Figaro, and Tito in La clemenza di Tito. His repertoire expanded to include roles such as Mr. Upfold in Britten’s Albert Herring, King Kaspar in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Arrigo in Verdi’s La Battaglia di Legnano.

As his career progressed, Floan performed with prestigious companies including Minnesota Opera as Second Nazarene in Strauss’ Salome and Des Moines Metro Opera as Parpignol in Puccini’s La Bohème and The Chaplin in Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites. His repertoire grew to include challenging roles such as Florestan in Beethoven’s Fidelio and Laça in Janáček’s Jenůfa.

A sought-after concert soloist, Floan has performed in numerous oratorio masterpieces including Handel’s Messiah, Saint-Saëns’ Oratorio de Noël, Schubert’s Mass in G and Mass in A-flat, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Haydn’s The Creation, Puccini’s Messa di Gloria, Dubois’ The Seven Last Words of Christ, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

Specializing in Wagnerian repertoire, Floan has undertaken intensive training for roles including Siegfried, Tannhäuser, and Tristan und Isolde at the Wagner Intensive in Berea, Ohio. His dedication to the Wagnerian repertoire led to significant recognition when he was selected as one of 16 singers worldwide to participate in the 2010 Lauritz Melchior International Singing Competition under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II in Aalborg, Denmark.

His accolades include winning The Wagner Society of New York Encouragement Grant in both 2012 and 2013. In 2015, he achieved multiple distinctions: becoming a finalist in the Classical Singer Magazine International Vocal Competition Emerging Professional Division and winning The Gerda Lissner Foundation International Vocal Competition – Wagner Division, which led to his Carnegie Hall debut in April 2015.

As the Co-Founder and currently serving as Executive Director of St. Croix Valley Opera, Floan holds a Master of Music degree and has dedicated over two decades to studying with master teachers and renowned opera singers worldwide. As an educator, his students have gone on to perform in international opera houses, Broadway national tours, and prestigious academic programs. His mission is to foster the next generation of artists and create performance opportunities in the upper Midwest, making high-level artistic training accessible without requiring young artists to leave the region.