Baritone David Malis was the first American winner of the Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. He began his operatic career with San Francisco Opera, making his debut as Papageno in The Magic Flute. His Metropolitan Opera house debut as Marcello in La Bohème led to twelve seasons with the company, where his roles included Figaro, Harlekin, Ned Keene, Schaunard, Falke, and Papageno.