Birth

:

September 24, 1922 in Minneapolis, MN

Death

:

July 5, 2011 in Charlottesville, VA

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Cornell MacNeil was an American baritone opera singer who was born on September 24, 1922, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the youngest of three children born to a family of Scottish and Irish descent. His father was a railroad worker, and his mother was a homemaker. MacNeil grew up in a musical family, and his parents encouraged him to pursue his passion for singing. MacNeil began his musical training at the age of 12 when he joined the choir at his local church. He continued to sing in choirs throughout his teenage years and eventually enrolled in the University of Minnesota to study music. While at the university, he studied under the renowned baritone, Martial Singher, who recognized MacNeil's talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in opera. In 1950, MacNeil made his professional debut with the New York City Opera in the role of Rigoletto. He quickly gained recognition for his powerful voice and dramatic stage presence, and he soon became a sought-after performer in the opera world. In 1952, he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in the role of Amonasro in Verdi's Aida, which was a major milestone in his career. Over the course of his career, MacNeil performed in over 25 different roles at the Metropolitan Opera, including Scarpia in Puccini's Tosca, Iago in Verdi's Otello, and the title role in Verdi's Rigoletto. He was known for his rich, resonant voice and his ability to convey the emotional depth of his characters through his singing. MacNeil also performed with many other opera companies throughout the world, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Paris Opera, and the Vienna State Opera. He was a frequent guest performer at the Salzburg Festival in Austria, where he performed in productions of Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro, and other operas. In addition to his performances on stage, MacNeil was also a prolific recording artist. He recorded many of his signature roles, including Scarpia in Tosca and Iago in Otello, as well as a number of other operas and recital albums. His recordings are still highly regarded by critics and opera fans today. Throughout his career, MacNeil received many awards and honors for his contributions to the world of opera. In 1960, he was awarded the Metropolitan Opera's prestigious "Metropolitan Opera Guild Award," which recognizes outstanding contributions to the art of opera. He was also awarded the "National Opera Institute Award" in 1976 and the "Opera News Award" in 1990. MacNeil retired from performing in 1987, but he continued to be involved in the opera world as a teacher and mentor to young singers. He taught at the Juilliard School in New York City and at the University of Michigan, where he was a professor of voice. He also served as a judge for many vocal competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Cornell MacNeil passed away on July 15, 2011, at the age of 88. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest baritone opera singers of the 20th century. His powerful voice and dramatic performances continue to inspire and captivate audiences today.

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