Role

:

Conductor  

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Charles Wadsworth was a renowned classical music artist who was born on June 21, 1929, in Newnan, Georgia. He was the son of a Methodist minister and grew up in a musical family. His mother was a pianist, and his father played the violin. Wadsworth started playing the piano at the age of five and showed a natural talent for music. Wadsworth attended the University of Georgia, where he studied piano and music theory. He later went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he was a student of the legendary pianist Rosina Lhévinne. Wadsworth also studied with the renowned pianist and conductor Leonard Bernstein. In 1953, Wadsworth made his debut as a concert pianist at the Town Hall in New York City. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented and versatile musician, and he began performing regularly throughout the United States and Europe. In 1960, Wadsworth became the artistic director of the Spoleto Festival in Italy. He held this position for three years and helped to establish the festival as one of the premier cultural events in Europe. During his tenure, Wadsworth worked with many of the world's leading musicians, including Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, and Gian Carlo Menotti. In 1969, Wadsworth founded the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in New York City. The society was dedicated to promoting chamber music and providing a platform for young musicians to showcase their talents. Wadsworth served as the artistic director of the society for over 20 years and helped to establish it as one of the leading chamber music organizations in the world. Throughout his career, Wadsworth was known for his innovative programming and his ability to bring together musicians from different backgrounds and genres. He was a champion of contemporary music and commissioned many new works from composers such as Ned Rorem, William Bolcom, and John Corigliano. Wadsworth was also a gifted teacher and mentor to many young musicians. He taught at the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music, and he was a frequent guest lecturer at universities and music schools throughout the United States. In addition to his work as a pianist and artistic director, Wadsworth was also a prolific writer and broadcaster. He wrote several books on music, including "The Poet's Song: The Lives and Work of the Troubadours" and "The Chamber Music of Brahms." He also hosted a popular radio program on National Public Radio called "Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Live." Wadsworth received many awards and honors throughout his career, including the National Medal of Arts in 1997 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2000. He was also awarded honorary degrees from several universities, including the University of Georgia, the University of South Carolina, and the University of North Carolina. Wadsworth continued to perform and teach well into his 80s. He passed away on June 20, 2018, at the age of 88. His legacy as a musician, teacher, and advocate for chamber music lives on through the many musicians he mentored and the organizations he founded and supported.

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