Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Robert Kerns was a renowned American bass-baritone opera singer, known for his powerful voice and commanding stage presence. Born on June 16, 1933, in Wayne, Pennsylvania, Kerns grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. He attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied under the tutelage of renowned bass-baritone, Martial Singher. Kerns made his professional debut in 1959, as the Count in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, at the New York City Opera. He quickly gained recognition for his rich, resonant voice and his ability to convey emotion through his performances. In 1962, he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera, as Escamillo in Bizet's Carmen, and went on to perform in over 500 performances at the Met over the course of his career. Throughout his career, Kerns was known for his versatility, performing a wide range of roles in both operas and concerts. He was particularly renowned for his performances in the works of Mozart, Verdi, and Wagner. Some of his most notable performances include his portrayal of Don Giovanni in Mozart's Don Giovanni, the title role in Verdi's Falstaff, and Wotan in Wagner's Ring Cycle. Kerns was also a frequent performer at major opera houses around the world, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Paris Opera, and the Vienna State Opera. He was a regular guest artist at the Salzburg Festival, where he performed in productions of Mozart's The Magic Flute and Don Giovanni. In addition to his work on stage, Kerns was also a prolific recording artist. He recorded numerous albums of opera arias and songs, including a highly acclaimed recording of Schubert's Winterreise with pianist John Wustman. He also appeared on several television broadcasts of operas, including a production of Verdi's Rigoletto that was broadcast on PBS in 1982. Throughout his career, Kerns received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1973, he was awarded the Richard Tucker Award, which is given annually to an outstanding American opera singer. He was also a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, which is the highest honor given to artists by the United States government. Kerns retired from performing in 1997, after a career that spanned nearly four decades. He continued to be involved in the world of opera, however, serving as a judge for several vocal competitions and teaching master classes around the world. He also served as the artistic director of the Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia, where he helped to promote the careers of young opera singers. Robert Kerns passed away on September 17, 2021, at the age of 88. He will be remembered as one of the greatest bass-baritone opera singers of his generation, whose powerful voice and commanding stage presence captivated audiences around the world.

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