(Credit: Hyperion Records) On August 27, 2024, Howard Crook died at the age of 77. Born in Rutherford, New Jersey, Crook studied at the Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, and then at the University of Illinois. Following his university studies, he worked in the theatre and later became a professional singer after winning second prizes in vocal competitions. Throughout his career, {…}
On August 24, 2024, German baritone Siegfried Lorenz died at 78. Born in East Berlin, Lorenz studied voice in his hometown at the Hochschule für Musik from 1964 to 1969 and was a master student of Alois Orth. He went on to win several international singing competitions and was contracted by the Komische Oper Berlin in 1969. In 1973, he {…}
(Credit: Wikipedia) Retired opera singer Patricia Carey has died at the age of 87. Superstar singer Mariah Carey, daughter of Patricia released a statement stating, “My heart is broken that I’ve lost my mother this past weekend. I feel blessed that I was able to spend the last week with my mom before she passed. I appreciate everyone’s love and {…}
(Credit: Teatro Colon) The Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires has announced the death of Maestro Ricardo Quintieri. Quintieri began working with the Buenos Aires theater in 1986 and worked professionally with such figures as Kurt Naukt, Martin Bilker, Eugenio Bosco, and Segundo Olivan. As a technician, he worked on many concert cycles that were realized by Radio El Mundo, L.S.I.Radio {…}
Soprano Virginia Oosthuizen has died at the age of 90 in Cape Town, South Africa. The soprano was one of South Africa’s most distinguished operatic sopranos whose career spanned several decades. Born in 1933 in Stellenbosch, Oosthuizen studied singing under Margaret Wandelt at the Stellenbosch Conservatoire and furthered her vocal studies with Maria Hittorff in Vienna. She made her European {…}
On August 12 2024 German Opera Director Christof Nel died at the age of 80. Born on April 7, 1944, in Stuttgart, Nel’s parents were both musicians. He went on to study art history and theatre in Munich and began his theater career as an actor working with Peter Stein. In 1970, he began directing. His first plays were produced {…}
On August 10, 2024, Italian soprano Celestina Casapietra died at the age of 85 in Genoa, Italy. Born in Genoa on August 23, 1938, Casapietra made her debut at the Teatro Nuovo in Milan in 1963 and later made her Berlin State Opera debut in 1965. In Berlin, she went on to sing many leading roles including Donna Anna in {…}
Scenographer Marco Bartolo passed away on July 22, 2024. The Teatru Manoel announced the news stating, “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of our colleague and friend, Marco who passed away today, 22nd July 2024. Marco was a professional scenographer and his contribution towards the theatre over so many years was {…}
On August 11, 2024, Steve Davislim died at 57. Born in 1967 in George Town, Penang, Malaysia, his father David Lim was of Chinese ancestry, and his mother Joyce Davis was Irish. The father moved to Australia, firstly to Tasmania, then to Melbourne. He first started studying music as a horn player in brass groups and orchestras and eventually obtained {…}
On August 3, 2024, American mezzo-soprano Dorothy Krebill died at the age of 94 in Santa Fe. Born on Feb. 3, 1930, to a Mennonite family in Lee County, Iowa, Karayanis attended the State University of Iowa. There, she studied voice and piano. She later went on to study at Curtis, where she received her graduate diploma in vocal studies. {…}
Romanian soprano Sanda Şandru has died at the age of 85. Born on July 15, 1938, Șandru began her musical studies in Timișoara and went on to study in Bucharest at the “Ciprian Porumbescu” Conservatory. She became a soloist at the Bucharest National Opera, debuting in the role of Leonora in “Il Trovatore.” Her career took her to some of {…}