Outstanding Performer

“Polished singing and charismatic presence…”

Baritone, Chazzan David Babinet

Chazzan David Babinet, titled “The New Voice of Chazanus,” is rapidly becoming a sought-after chazzan.  The New York native holds a masters degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in vocal performance and a Bachelors of Music from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Beginning his career in the classical music field, David was quickly acknowledged as one of the great up and coming voices of the opera world.  His widely appreciated talent as a vocalist and performer brought invitations to such internationally noteworthy venues as the Los Angeles Opera where he sang Marcello in La Boheme, and Opera San Jose where he sang Count Almaviva in La Nozze di Figaro, as well as the International Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv, Israel where he sang Ford in the opera Falstaff.  David was a member of the Portland Opera resident artist program, a participant in the Chicago Opera Theatre’s young artist program, and a member of the prestigious Los Angeles Opera Resident Artist Program where he performed alongside the famous opera tenor Placido Domingo in many productions.

Although his career began in the classical music field, he has since moved audiences with his natural ability as a chazzan.  His move into cantorial music was inspired while performing in Israel when he heard Cantor Hershtik in the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem.  Now, after extensive training in cantorial music, he is quickly being sought after to lead the High Holiday, Yom Tov and Shabbat prayer services in various synagogues and to appear in cantorial concerts around the world.  These past High Holidays he was the Cantor for the Chabad Center for Jewish Discovery in Manhatten, New York.  Last year, David joined the Chabad of Dobbs Ferry in Westchester, New York to be their cantor for the High Holidays and he visits them regularly for special events.  Recently he also joined Congregation Torah Or of Boca Raton, Florida for the Hy Levi Memorial Concert along with Cantors David Rosensweig and Yaakov Lemmer.  This year he was the Chazzan for the Center for Jewish Discovery for the High Holidays.  He also made a special concert appearance in Westminster, Colorado with the Chabad of NW Metro Denver.

Cantor Babinet was a winner of the 2003 Metropolitan Opera National Council Regional Auditions.  He also won first place in the Palm Springs Opera Guild Competition, Nunzio Crisci Opera Competition and the Dante Alighieri Society Opera Competition.