Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

February 13, 1891 in Zhitomir, Russia

Death

:

May 14, 1978 in Westport, CT

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Alexander Kipnis was a renowned classical music artist who was born on February 13, 1891, in Zhitomir, Ukraine. He was born into a family of musicians, and his father was a cantor in a local synagogue. Kipnis showed an early interest in music and began singing in the synagogue choir at a young age. He later studied at the Kiev Conservatory, where he received training in voice and piano. In 1910, Kipnis made his professional debut as a singer in Kiev, and he quickly gained a reputation as a talented bass-baritone. He went on to perform in opera houses throughout Europe, including the Berlin State Opera, the Vienna State Opera, and the Royal Opera House in London. Kipnis was known for his powerful voice and his ability to convey emotion through his performances. One of Kipnis's most notable performances was his portrayal of the title character in Mussorgsky's "Boris Godunov" at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1931. The performance was a critical and commercial success, and Kipnis became a regular performer at the Met for the next decade. He also performed with other major opera companies, including the Chicago Opera and the San Francisco Opera. In addition to his opera performances, Kipnis was also a prolific concert singer. He performed in recitals throughout Europe and the United States, and he was known for his interpretations of the works of Bach, Schubert, and Schumann. Kipnis was also a champion of contemporary music, and he premiered several works by composers such as Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Prokofiev. Kipnis was widely recognized for his contributions to classical music. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Order of the Red Banner of Labor from the Soviet Union and the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit from Germany. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Kipnis continued to perform well into his seventies, and he remained active in the music world until his death on May 14, 1978, in Westport, Connecticut. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest bass-baritones of the twentieth century, and his recordings continue to be celebrated by classical music enthusiasts around the world.

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