Role

:

Conductor  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

January 10, 1935 in Downers Grove, IL

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Opera

 

Sherrill Milnes is a renowned American baritone who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. He was born on January 10, 1935, in Downers Grove, Illinois, to a family of musicians. His father was a choir director, and his mother was a singer. Milnes grew up in a musical environment and started singing at a young age. Milnes attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he studied voice and music education. He later received a scholarship to attend the Northwestern University School of Music in Evanston, Illinois, where he studied with the renowned voice teacher Hermanus Baer. Milnes also studied at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and the American Opera Center in New York City. Milnes made his professional debut in 1960 with the Opera Company of Boston, where he sang the role of the Count in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. He quickly gained recognition for his powerful voice and dramatic stage presence. In 1961, he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where he sang the role of Valentin in Gounod's Faust. This performance marked the beginning of a long and successful career at the Met. Over the course of his career, Milnes has performed in many of the world's leading opera houses, including La Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera. He has also performed with many of the world's leading conductors, including Leonard Bernstein, James Levine, and Zubin Mehta. Milnes is particularly known for his performances of Verdi's operas. He has sung the roles of Rigoletto, Macbeth, and Simon Boccanegra, among others. He has also performed in many of the great baritone roles in the operas of Mozart, Puccini, and Wagner. Milnes has received many awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1973, he was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording for his performance in Verdi's Aida. He has also been awarded the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor given to artists by the United States government. In addition to his work as a performer, Milnes has also been active as a teacher and mentor to young singers. He has taught at the Juilliard School in New York City and the Northwestern University School of Music. He has also founded the Sherrill Milnes Voice Studio, which provides training and support to young singers. Milnes has also been active in promoting the arts and music education. He has served on the boards of many arts organizations, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the Metropolitan Opera Guild. He has also been a strong advocate for music education in schools, and has worked to promote the importance of music in the lives of young people. In conclusion, Sherrill Milnes is a true legend in the world of classical music. His powerful voice and dramatic stage presence have made him one of the most beloved and respected performers of his generation. His contributions to the world of opera and music education have been significant, and his legacy will continue to inspire and influence generations of musicians to come.

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