Jon Vickers was once known as “God’s tenor.” Born on Oct. 29, 1926, the Canadian artist would go on to a storied career with a voice that has become as immortal as God. He was the sixth child of eight children and while his initial intention was to study medicine, he earned a scholarship to study at the Royal Conservatory {…}
Georges Bizet, born on Oct. 25, 1838, created perhaps the most popular opera of all-time. Unfortunately died without knowing that. Bizet had a solid start to his career, winning the prestigious Prix de Rome during his student years at the Conservatoire de Paris. But that never translated into a sturdy opera career, with Bizet finding his works largely ignored. He {…}
Galina Vishnevskaya, born on Oct. 25, 1926, is not one of most recognized singers of the 20th century, though she was certainly well-recognized in the USSR. Vishnevskaya was born in Leningrad and got started singing operetta when she was barely 18 years old. She became a member of Bolshoi Theater in 1953, at the age of 27. While the greater {…}
Johann Strauss Jr. didn’t write opera. But his contribution to operetta is indispensable. Born on Oct. 25, 1825, his destiny was sealed seemingly before his birth. His father was Johann Strauss I, one of the more popular Viennese composers of dance music and operettas during his time. So it was no surprise that Jr. would be exposed to the world {…}
American soprano Cheryl Studer, born on Oct. 24, 1955, has one of the most extensive repertoire lists in soprano history, singing over 80 roles throughout her career. The soprano started her musical education at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music before moving to the University of Tennessee. In 1978, she won the Met Opera National Council Auditions and then set off {…}
If you wanted to list off the greatest baritones of the 20th century, Tito Gobbi will land somewhere on that list. Born on Oct. 24, 1913, the baritone actually started his career studying law. But a family friend suggested that he study singing. So he moved from Padua, where he was studying, to Rome. In 1935, at the age of {…}
There aren’t all that many 20th century operas that have had the resounding success of John Adams’ “Nixon in China.” The opera had its world premiered on Oct. 22, 1987 at the Houston Grand Opera in a production by Peter Sellars, a frequent collaborator of the composer. Adams’ opera is unique in how it utilizes a large saxophone section, additional {…}
There haven’t been all that many singers from Peru to embark on massive international careers. You could probably count them on your fingers. Ernesto Palacio, born on Oct. 19, 1946, is one of those artists. And not only has he had a prominent impact on his own career, but he has also been the mastermind behind another Peruvian superstar – {…}
Rolando Panerai, born on Oct. 17, 1924, was one of opera’s most prolific artists. Born in Campi Bizensio, he studied at the Florence Conservatory before continuing his musical education in Milan. He made his stage debut in 1947 in Naples in Rossini’s “Mosè in Egitto.” In 1951, he made his La Scala debut as Sharpless in “Madama Butterfly,” this fame {…}
In late 2017, the opera world suffered a great tragedy, when it lost baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky at the age 55. Hvorostovsky, born on Oct. 16, 1962, was born in Krasnoyarsk and grew up without much interaction with his parents, whose work consumed most of their time. He studied at the Krasnoyarsk School of Arts and would make his professional debut {…}
Not many opera singers can claim to be inducted into a hall of fame. But Leona Mitchell can claim to be inducted into two. Born on Oct. 13, 1949, in Enid, Oklahoma, Mitchell and from an early age it was apparent that she would be a musician as she sang in the choir of the church where her father was {…}