Birth

:

March 18, 1929 in Detroit, MI

Death

:

May 7, 2020 in Stamford, CT

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Symphony

 

John Macurdy was a renowned American bass opera singer who was born on March 18, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the son of a Scottish father and an Irish mother. Macurdy grew up in a musical family, and his father was a church organist. He started singing in the church choir at a young age and developed a passion for music. Macurdy attended Wayne State University in Detroit, where he studied music and voice. He later went to New York City to study at the Juilliard School of Music. He made his operatic debut in 1955 at the New York City Opera as the King in "The Love for Three Oranges" by Sergei Prokofiev. He quickly gained recognition for his powerful voice and commanding stage presence. Macurdy's career took off in the 1960s when he began performing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He made his debut at the Met in 1962 as the High Priest in "Samson et Dalila" by Camille Saint-Saëns. He went on to perform in over 500 performances at the Met, becoming one of the most prominent bass singers of his time. Macurdy's voice was known for its rich, deep tone and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. He was particularly renowned for his performances in the works of Richard Wagner, including "The Ring Cycle," "Tristan und Isolde," and "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg." He also performed in works by other composers, including Mozart, Verdi, and Puccini. One of Macurdy's most memorable performances was in the 1976 production of "The Ring Cycle" at the Met. He played the role of Hunding in "Die Walküre" and Fafner in "Siegfried." His performance was praised for its intensity and power, and it cemented his reputation as one of the greatest bass singers of his time. Macurdy also performed internationally, appearing at the Royal Opera House in London, the Paris Opera, and the Vienna State Opera. He was a regular performer at the Salzburg Festival in Austria, where he appeared in productions of "Don Giovanni," "The Marriage of Figaro," and "The Magic Flute." Throughout his career, Macurdy received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1977, he was awarded the Richard Wagner Medal by the Wagner Society of New York. He was also a recipient of the National Opera Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award and the Opera Index Award for Distinguished Achievement. Macurdy retired from performing in 1999, after a career that spanned over four decades. He continued to teach voice and mentor young singers, passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of performers. John Macurdy passed away on May 7, 2019, at the age of 90. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest bass singers of his time, with a voice that was both powerful and expressive. His contributions to classical music will be remembered for generations to come.

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