Norwegian actress and opera singer Edith Thallaug has passed away on June 7, 2020. Born on June 16, 1929, Thallaug began her career with the Studioteatret, one of the first arts organizations to open in Norway after World War II. In 1948, she joined the Nationaltheateret, staying with them for the next 12 years. After marking her singing debut in {…}
Uruguayan composer and conductor Federico Garcia Vigil passed away on June 4, 2020, at the age of 79. Born in Montevideo on January 5, 1941, Vigil attended the Elbio Fernandez school before studying piano at the Guillermo Kolischer Conservatory. In the 1960s, Vigil was hired to work at the Orchester de Ballet Alicia Alsono in Havana Cuba. Here, he met {…}
(Credit: Royal Opera House) The Royal Opera has announced the death of Ian Taylor, Chairman of its Board of Trustees, at the age of 64. Taylor died from pneumonia, following a long battle with the illness. Born in 1956 in Croydon, England, Taylor grew up in North of England and went on to study at the Merton College, Oxford University, {…}
Opera Singer and Broadway star Claude Heater passed away on May 28. 2020 from cardiovascular disease. Born in Oakland, California on October 25, 1927, Heater studied as a baritone in Los Angeles, and made his Broadway debut at the age of 23 in “Top Banana.” Two years later, he was the baritone member of the trio in the world premiere {…}
Florentine soprano Jolanda Meneguzzer passed away on June 7, 2020, at the age of 90. Born in 1930, Meneguzzer was in her early teens during the final years of World War II. In an interview with William Burnett, she said of the experience: “During the war I never stopped studying. It was a very difficult period, because Florence was occupied {…}
(Credit: Image from Scherzo) Italian pianist and composer Marcello Abbado passed away on June 4, 2020. Born in Milan on October 7, 1926, Abbado was raised in a family of famous musicians; his father was violinist Michelangelo Abbado, and his brother Claudio was music director of the Teatro alla Scala and the Vienna State Opera. He studied piano at the {…}
(Image Source: Bruce Duffie) French vocal coach and harpsichordist Janine Reiss passed away on June 2, 2020, at the age of 99. A prominent figure in the 60’s, Reiss specialized in readying singers for the French repertoire, with notable performers including Maria Callas, Teresa Berganza, Mady Mesple, Julia Migenes, Placido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti. From 1973 to 1980, Reiss was {…}
French coloratura soprano Mady Mesplé passed away on May 30, 2020 at the age of 89. Born on March 7, 1931, in Toulouse, France, Mesplé studied piano and voice at the music conservatory of her native city. She went on to graduate with a gold medal and play the piano in a local ballroom orchestra. Following her time with the {…}
(Credit: Alexander Lindström) Norrlandsoperan has announced the death of Swedish mezzo-soprano and manager Malin Gjörup on May 20, 2020, from a sudden illness. She was 56. Born on April 28, 1964, in Luleå, Sweden, Gjörup was educated at Malmö Academy of Music. As a mezzo-soprano, she has sung at the Gothenburg City Theatre, Riksteatern, and Folkoperan. Gjörup has served as {…}
Maestro Joel Revzen has died at the age of 74 due to causes related to COVID-19. Revzen began his studies at the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University where he studied conducting, piano, accompanying, and ear training. From there he went to Juilliard to study conducting and received both his bachelors and masters. In 1984, he joined the St. Paul {…}
Former BBC Conductor John Poole has passed away at the age of 85. Born on February 5 in Birmingham, England, Poole began as a conductor during his time as an undergraduate at Oxford; he later directed concerts as an organist at London University Church, and as Musical Director at University College in London. In 1968, Poole became the conductor of {…}