Birth

:

May 6, 1942 in St. Louis, MO

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Richard Stilwell was an American baritone opera singer who was born on January 5, 1942, in New Haven, Connecticut. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Stilwell began his musical training at an early age, studying piano and voice. He attended the University of Hartford, where he earned a degree in music education. After completing his studies, Stilwell began his professional career as a music teacher in Connecticut. However, he soon realized that his true passion was singing, and he decided to pursue a career as an opera singer. He moved to New York City and began studying with the renowned vocal coach, Margaret Harshaw. Stilwell made his professional debut in 1970, singing the role of Marcello in Puccini's La Bohème with the New York City Opera. He quickly established himself as one of the leading baritones of his generation, and he went on to perform with many of the world's most prestigious opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera. Throughout his career, Stilwell was known for his powerful voice, his dramatic intensity, and his ability to bring complex characters to life on stage. He was particularly acclaimed for his performances in the operas of Verdi, Mozart, and Wagner. One of Stilwell's most memorable performances was his portrayal of the title character in Verdi's Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera in 1981. His performance was widely praised for its emotional depth and its powerful portrayal of the tragic character. Stilwell also had a successful career as a concert singer, performing with many of the world's leading orchestras and conductors. He was particularly acclaimed for his performances of Mahler's song cycles, and he recorded several of them with the conductor Leonard Bernstein. In addition to his performances on stage and in concert, Stilwell was also a respected teacher and mentor to many young singers. He taught at the Juilliard School in New York City and at the University of Maryland, and he was known for his generosity and his commitment to helping young singers develop their talents. Stilwell received many awards and honors throughout his career, including the Richard Tucker Award, the highest honor for an American opera singer. He was also inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1994. Despite his many accomplishments, Stilwell's career was not without its challenges. In 1993, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which forced him to retire from performing. However, he continued to teach and mentor young singers, and he remained an active member of the opera community until his death in 2013. Richard Stilwell was a true artist, whose powerful voice and dramatic intensity made him one of the leading baritones of his generation. His legacy lives on through his recordings, his students, and the many audiences who were moved by his performances.

More....