For a classically trained singer, it doesn’t get much better than performing with the Cleveland Orchestra.

Nikola Budimir, a proud Cleveland State University alumnus, recently got to do just that. He landed the role of Shepherd 4 in the orchestra’s production of the Richard Strauss opera Daphne.

“I felt a mixture of emotions,” Budimir said. “On the one hand, there was the excitement that obviously comes with being a soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra in a huge production. On the other hand, it felt almost surreal – as if I were dreaming.”

Led by conductor Franz Welser-M??st, the orchestra staged two performances of Daphne in May at Severance Hall in Cleveland and two more performances in July at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.

The concerts received glowing reviews from The Plain Dealer and The New York Times, among other outlets.

See CSU’s ENGAGED blog for more details.