Eric Metts Music
- Castle Hayne, NC
- Singing Guitarist
- 23 Verified Bookings
Andrew P. said “I needed a real musician for special music at a funeral. Eric learned several songs at the last minute (and arranged them to my specifications) that were…”
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Anything from fancy concerts to simple singing telegrams in the Hampton Roads/Richmond area. With the New York City Opera for 6 years, Branch understudied Emile de Becque in the hit production of South Pacific on Broadway. Critics describe his voice as "hypnotic...smooth and delectable as the finest, most perfectly aged bottle of Scotch." (Portland Press Herald) "Fields sang with such warmth, passion, and tenderness... every woman in the packed house was swooning." (Portfolio Weekly) He'll sing a Broadway favorite, like "Some Enchanted Evening", or a beautiful aria in Italian or French. NYC talent at a local price, Branch Fields sings opera all over the country but lives in Williamsburg, Va.
We were supposed to fly out for my mother's 65th birthday, but had to cancel last minute. I felt so sad to miss it, and knew we needed to do something special to show my mom our love. She absolutely loves music, so we found Branch last minute and he was SO kind to learn "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera for us! He was so easy to communicate with, and showed up dressed to the nines in a tuxedo, perfectly on time for the event. My aunt helped coordinate with Branch, and she was there for the performance with my mom at her house. She said Branch's voice was absolutely breathtaking, it was like they had a Broadway show right there in the living room (of course, that's true, because Branch is a Broadway star, and so talented!!). When I spoke with my mom after, she was in tears (happy, joyful, emotional tears). Little did I know, "Music of the Night" was also HER mother's favorite (my grandmother's), and my mom said it was so healing because she felt that Grandma, who passed last year, was with her for this very special performance. My mom told me "thank you so much for doing this for me, such a beautiful gift, I will always remember this for the rest of my life." THANK YOU AGAIN, Branch, you are the best, and you nailed it! :) Looking forward to the next performance!
Branch delivered a truly wonderful performance for a surprise birthday party. He was great to work with during the planning phase - a fantastic communicator and attentive to details as well as the larger vision for the program. During the show itself, he blew us away, delivering an incredible range of songs from funny Christmas tunes to Handel. Perfect all around!
Branch is a Superb performer and went the extra mile to make a surprise performance for a small birthday party a hit! He was very prompt and communicative, arranged excellent accompaniment, and built a thoughtful and personalized set list. His voice is wonderful and we had a very special evening thanks to his hard work and talent. We’ve been missing live performances it was fantastic to have such a high quality event come to us. I high, highly recommended Branch!
We called Branch at the last minute to sing for a vow renewal. The theme was Italian he nailed it. The guests and the couple were so impressed!
Branch was professional in every way, and provided our dinner party with the very highest quality of entertainment with his magnificent singing. He was wonderful, and I would highly recommend Branch to anyone wanting a sophisticated, special, and beautiful entertainment experience for your next function. Branch will leave you breathless with his amazingly melodic singing. 5 stars.
He was so great, professional and very sweet. His voice is amazing!!!
Mr Fields is a real professional. He connected with and thoroughly entertained a crowd celebrating a surprise birthday party. Arrangements were smoothly finalized and then executed to perfection. Highly recommend Mr Fields -- he is a real professional performer and would be a terrific addition to any event.
I had Branch Fields come to our home recently as a surprise singing telegram to recognize our anniversary. My husband and our teenagers were not privy to his coming and were so taken by him and amazed, that we decided to include their own personal accounts of the evening.
Chris (age 16):
All dressed up and ready to head out the door for dinner, Branch Fields showed up unexpectedly! It was a surprise visit for my parents anniversary. We all shuffled upstairs and sat on our couch to hear his amazing voice. Mr. Fields was very professional and confident in his singing ability. The use of his vast range was very inspiring. Branch was also able to improvise and show emotion throughout his song selection he presented for us. Thank you very much!
Mary (age 18):
Branch Fields arrived as a surprise for my parent's anniversary. Never having experienced a singing telegram before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but was soon blown away. Branch brought an impressive amount of depth, energy, and passion, showcased in a musical selection that highlighted his incredible range and love of performing; it was like listening to a private musical in our very own living room! I couldn't have been happier with his presentation or adaptation of our favorite pieces, and will not soon forget his gift to our family.
In summary:
I was elated to find out there even existed a venue in which to invite someone to sing for us personally as talented and kind as Branch! My plea to anyone seeking the most meaningful and unforgettable occasion, is to secure a date for Branch Fields to sing for you - access him through GigSalad, they are great. Since you are already on this site reading reviews, have the assurance that this will be a 5 star experience for you as well!
Branch did a wonderful job surprising my daughter on her birthday with a singing telegram. She was super surprised and all had great things to say about his singing. Great Job and very professional. Thank you Branch!
We are so fortunate to see really high class live opera performances even while living in this proverbial "last best place." Talk about having your cake and eating it too! And the rare privilege of having Branch Fields share his immense talent and his sweet personality with us once again this spring -- well, the icing on that cake couldn't be much sweeter!
We discovered Branch Fields when we attended "South Pacific" in Ogunquit, ME this past summer. From the moment the curtain went up he was a delight to watch & listen to. His voice has a deep rich quality, his acting transports one into the story & we were sorry to have the evening end. He made a great impression on us & we look forward to hearing him again and following his career. He is highly recommended!
Branch provided a singing telegram for my wife on Valentines day and I must say it was one she will never forget. In fact, he set the bar so high only the entire DC Opera or Symphony showing up would be able to match. My wife was and still is overjoyed with the experience. She commented, not only on the fabulous song choice (BTW we have a new song as a couple) but raved about how remarkable your voice was. I would be happy to recommend your services to any husband wanting to give their wife something she will remember and not get lost in flowers. What a wonderful gift you have, thank-you again for your valuable time to provide a smile to her face.
I sing with the Williamsburg Choral Guild, and we have hired Branch as a soloist several times. He elevates any performance he participates in to an entirely different level. I also had the distinct pleasure of attending a private recital in which he performed. He was, as always, both charming and extraordinarily talented. Branch is a pleasure to work with, and his rich, deep, resonant voice is positively transporting. I can't recommend him highly enough.
I so loved hearing you sing in "The Christmas Rose" at Carnegie Hall - that voice!!!
I have had the privilege of hearing Branch sing and watching him perform for many years. Simply put, he is a phenomenal singer who possesses an incredible amount of talent combined with winning charm and charisma.
We saw Branch in "South Pacific" last summer in Ogunquit, and haven't stopped talking about his performance since. He has an amazing voice coupled with outstanding acting ability and perfect timing. We have been going to theatre for years and seen many of the greats and rank Branch right up at the top of list. We can't wait to see him again and again. Don't miss him if you have the chance. He has a long and magical career ahead of him. Oh yes, he is one of the nicest guys around.
I always knew his amazing voice would take him far. Know him for a very long time and so proud of him and his accomplishments. Wish I wasnt deaf so I could still hear that amazing voice!!!!!!!!
I took my family to see South Pacific at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Branch Field had the entire theatre mesmerized. First, he was completely convincing with a French accent. His amazing singing was practically show-stopping. With impeccable acting, a powerful stage presence and glowing charisma, I can't imagine a more superb person for his role. Mr. Fields has won many new fans with his appearance here and thrilled a new generation of theater-goers. Any opportunity to hear him should not be missed.
Price Range: Contact for rates
Gig Length: 5 - 120 minutes
Languages: English, Italian
Unions: AGMA
Singing telegrams: Mr. Fields will perform a cappella, dressed in a tuxedo. - $100
Concerts: Branch will perform in recital or in concert anywhere in the world. Must provide travel expenses and lodging during rehearsals and/or the night of the performance. Branch is in the bass and bass-baritone classification of vocal range, with a large repertoire of musical works and songs from which to program a concert. Branch will perform at the highest standards of professionalism, ability, and talent. -fees to be discussed upon inquiry.
Branch Fields, whom Opera America describes as "a bass of resonant richness," and The New York Times declared to be "a gifted young bass," has sung with Santa Fe Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Carolina, Michigan Opera Theatre, Utah Symphony/Utah Opera, Opera San Jose, and many other regional companies throughout the U.S. He made his debut at New York City Opera in 2005 as the 5th servant in CAPRICCIO, remaining on their roster for the next 5 seasons. As a house bass there, he sang Zuniga in CARMEN, Angelotti in TOSCA, Major Domo in VANESSA, and Gravedigger in ESTHER. Branch covered roles in productions of IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, LA BOHME, TURANDOT, MADAME BUTTERFLY, CAPRICCIO, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA and LYSISTRATA. In concert, Branch has performed with the Munich Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Symphony, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, and most recently with the American Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.
“[As] the fugitive Angelotti...Branch Fields vividly conveyed the desperation of the fleeing convict.” (Vivien Schweitzer, NYTimes 3/24/2008)
In 2008, Branch joined the cast of SOUTH PACIFIC on Broadway, understudying the role of Emile de Becque in this Lincoln Center Theater production, which won 7 Tony Awards. It marked Mr. Fields’ Broadway debut, sharing the stage with Matthew Morrison, Kelli O’Hara and Skipp Sudduth. Branch recently reprised Emile for Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theater.
Mr. Fields was busy in 2011, performing Pistola in FALSTAFF with Utah Symphony/Utah Opera, Varlaam in BORIS GODUNOV with UFOMT, Don Basilio in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA with Opera on the James, and Colline in LA BOHME with DiCapo Opera Theater. Mr. Fields has portrayed Auguste Colline in 10 productions of LA BOHME throughout his career. Other recent performances include Raimondo in LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, Alidoro in CENERENTOLA, Marco in A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, Simone in GIANNI SCHICCHI, Commendatore in DON GIOVANNI, Samuel in PIRATES OF PENZANCE, and Hosie “Roach” McClendon in COLD SASSY TREE. He has performed Un Moine in DON CARLO, The Foreman in Tod Machover's RESURRECTION, and Gremin in EVGENY ONEGIN.
“Fields sang with such warmth, passion and tenderness, that it was perfectly clear how Pocahontas could have fallen in love with him; every woman in the packed house was swooning.” (M.D. Ridge, Portfolio Weekly 5/30/07)
A former nationally ranked swimmer, with an athletic physique and leading man looks, several contemporary composers have written bass romantic lead roles for Mr. Fields. He workshopped and performed Joe Coogan in the jazzy opera THE LIFE AND LOVE OF JOE COOGAN, composed by Paul Salerni, based on the episode of Carl Reinert’s 1950‘s television series, The Dick Van Dyke Show. Mr. Fields was the jealous husband Frederick Goldentrill in a new version of Mozart’s THE IMPRESARIO by playwright David Richmond and Wendy Taucher at YardArts! on Martha’s Vineyard. The role of the love struck romantic parrot Sam in ANIMAL TALES, workshopped and performed through Family Opera Initiative in several venues, was written to showcase Branch’s lower range. And he recently toured in Minnesota with Duluth Festival Opera, reprising another role written for him, John Rolfe, in the new musical drama POCAHONTAS, which premiered in 2007 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown.
Mr. Fields is a Virginian, from Williamsburg, whose aspirations for a singing career were born at Virginia Tech while doing undergraduate work in chemistry. While there, he made his debut at Opera Roanoke, where he sang in the chorus, and later performed principal roles while earning a Master of Music degree at Indiana University. At Indiana, Branch was an honored recipient of the Cole and Kate Porter Memorial Scholarship, studying voice with the great Metropolitan Opera bass, Giorgio Tozzi. He was a member of The Singing Hoosiers, through which he garnered the attention of the late Maestro Erich Kunzel during their concerts and recordings with the Cincinnati Pops. He can be heard on the Cincinnati Pop’s album Puttin’ On the Ritz (TELARC). Branch was later granted a coveted spot at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, a full scholarship institution, where he studied with Met baritone Louis Quilico, and participated in summer opera programs in Chiari, Lucca, and Rome, Italy. In New York City, he was placed in the studio of bass specialist Armen Boyajian, voice teacher of Samuel Ramey and Paul Plishka, during which time Branch won 1st prize in the Saritelli-DiPanni Bel Canto Competition, 2nd in the NJAPA Vocal Competition, and was a prize winner in the Liederkranz Foundation Competition.
December 11, 2024 • 11:30am - 12:00pm | Birthday Party |
November 16, 2024 • 11:30am - 11:45am | Birthday Party |
June 21, 2023 • 11:00am - 11:15am | Birthday Party |
December 20, 2021 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Birthday Party |
July 31, 2021 • 10:00pm - 10:30pm | Birthday Party |
February 07, 2021 • 2:00pm - 2:30pm | Birthday Party |
May 04, 2019 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
September 08, 2017 • 7:00pm - 7:15pm | Surprise |
August 27, 2016 • 6:30pm - 7:00pm | Birthday (Adult) |
November 07, 2015 • 7:00pm - 10:00pm | Birthday (Adult) |
March 06, 2015 • 6:00pm - 6:30pm | Other |
February 14, 2014 • 4:30pm - 4:45pm | Other |
February 14, 2014 • 10:00am - 10:15am | Other |
August 21, 2013 • 2:00pm - 2:15pm | Birthday Party |
April 17, 2013 • 12:00pm - 12:30pm | Private Party |
Branch Fields has performed many bass roles in Opera, the arias of which he has also performed in concert with piano accompaniment, or with an orchestra. A request for a formal recital with a pianist would draw from the vast repertoire of English and American Art Songs, German Lieder, French Chansons, and Italian Songs. He has two 75 minute recital programs available to perform on short notice, or can create a new program for a specific theme or occasion, given at least 60 days to prepare with a pianist and memorize. Branch also performs sacred Oratorio repertoire and sacred songs for church services throughout the country.
On the lighter side, Branch's musical theater experience has led him into more Popular repertoire, which he has performed for concerts, wedding receptions, banquets, and parties. Below is a list of Popular songs that Branch Fields has performed for various functions and in concert.
MUSICAL THEATER
Some Enchanted Evening
This Nearly Was Mine
Younger Than Springtime
O What A Beautiful Mornin'
Oklahoma!
June is Bustin' Out All Over
If I Loved You
You'll Never Walk Alone
C'est Moi
If Ever I Would Leave You
They Call The Wind Maria
If I Were A Rich Man
Ol' Man River
JAZZ STANDARDS
All the Way
All the Things You Are
Besame Mucho
Bewitched
Call Me Irresponsible
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
A Fine Romance
I Could Write a Book
I've Got You Under My Skin
Love and Marriage
Love Is Here to Stay
Lover
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
Unforgettable
The Very Thought of You
Young at Heart
CHRISTMAS
All the popular favorites, and especially:
You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!
White Christmas
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Do You Hear What I Hear?
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Birthday of a King
Panis Angelicus
Gesu Bambino
Bass arias from MESSIAH, by Handel
Bass arias from Christmas Oratorio, by J. S. Bach
Bass arias from L'enfance du Christ, by Berlioz
Branch is inspired by many great singers. In opera, he has aspired to the great voices of Cesare Siepi, Jerome Hines, Giorgio Tozzi, Nicholai Ghiaurov, and more recently, Bryn Terfel. Though not a tenor, he was inspired to become an opera singer after hearing Luciano Pavarotti.
In Jazz and Popular music, Branch is influenced by the great voices of Paul Robeson, John Raitt, Gordon McRae, Harry Belafonte, Frank Sinatra, and more recently Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Buble.
Andrew P. said “I needed a real musician for special music at a funeral. Eric learned several songs at the last minute (and arranged them to my specifications) that were…”
Maxine S. said “Our party was a success because of Salty Xandra has an unbelievable voice Guests couldn’t believe it wasn’t a recording”
Ana M. said “She was absolutely the best! i booked last minute and everything was smooth and perfect!! definitely gave the wedding that elegant and premium feeling.”
MultigenreSinger/Songwriter,Keyboardist,& More $ = Distance depending PA/MD/VA/WV/NC/FL/etc Trained 12 years in opera, pop, country, musical theatre, Christian…