The LA Opera has announced that choreographer John Todd has died. In a social media post the company announced the news stating, “We are so saddened to learn about the passing of director and choreographer, John Todd, who choreographed our 2016 run of “La Bohéme” and was an associate choreographer for several productions.” Todd grew up in the Carolinas and {…}
Italian baritone Silvano Carroli died on April 4, 2020 in Lucca at the age of 81. The baritone, who was born on Feb. 22, 1939, went on to study with Marcello Del Monaco before perfecting his technique with legendary tenor Mario Del Monaco. He also studied at the Teatro La Fenice di Venezia under the guidance of Mario Labroca, Francesco {…}
On March 23, 2020, Andreas Pieske passed away at the age of 91, as confirmed by the Leipzig Opera. From 1960 to 1990, Pieske served as choir director for the Leipzig Opera, where he was credited for making it into one of the best choirs in German-speaking countries. He was also director of the Gewandhaus Choir from 1964 to 1980. {…}
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra has announced that member violist Vincent Lionti has died of COVID-19. The orchestra announced the news via social media stating, “We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of one of our own. Vincent Lionti passed away due to complications related to Covid-19. ‘Vinnie’ joined the viola section of the MET Orchestra in 1987. We {…}
Austrian contralto Hertha Töpper passed away on March 28, 2020. Born on April 19, 1924, Töpper studied at Graz Conservatory before becoming a member of the Graz Opera in 1945 where she made her debut in Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera.” After World War II, she debuted at the Bayreuth Festival before heading to the Bayerische Staatsoper where she would {…}
Recognized costume designer María Araujo has died at the age of 70 due to Coronavirus complications. Born in 1950 in Gran Canaria de La Aldea de San Nicolás, she went on to work with renown Spanish directors Mario Gas, Josep Maria Pou, Xavier Albertí, Josep Maria Mestres, and Natalia Menéndez. Araujo also worked on a number of television shows and {…}
On March 10, 2020 Knut Hendriksen died at the age of 75 following a long illness. Born on March 15, 1944 in Bregen, Norway, Hendriksen’s family moved to Sweden in 1948, where he would continue his studies and develop his career. Hendriksen graduated from the Department of Art History at Stockholm University and went on to work with the Royal Opera {…}
Argentine mezzo-soprano Mabel Perelstein has died from complications related to the coronavirus. Perelstein was hospitalized on March 24, 2020 in Madrid. Born in La Plata, Argentina, Perelstein studied at the Conservatorio Gilardo Gilardi where she worked under Noemí Souza. She then went on to be part of the Teatro Argentino Chorus. In the 80s she moved to Spain to study {…}
(Credit: Courtesy of Harrison Parrot) Krzysztof Penderecki has died at the age of 86 after a long illness in Krakow, Poland. Born in Dębica, Poland, to Tadeusz Penderecki, a lawyer, and Zofia, Penderecki attended grammar school in 1946 after World War two and began studying violin under Stanisław Darłak, Dębica’s military bandmaster. After graduating from grammar school, he moved to {…}
Legendary bass Luigi Roni has died at the age of 78 of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Born on Feb. 22, 1942 in Vergemoli, Tuscany, Italy, the bass studied at the Boccherini di Lucca as a bassoonist with Professor Cenni. However, he ended up studying voice with Adriana Pizzorusso and soon after, he made his debut in Spoleto as Mefistolfele in Gounod’s {…}
Renowned tenor Enrique del Portal has died at the age of 87. The tenor, who was one of the most important proponents of Zarzuela, died after suffering a fall that had him in bed-rest. Unfortunately, del Portal could not get the right medical attention due to the healthcare collapse as result of the coronavirus outbreak in Spain. Del Portal was {…}