Birth

:

June 17, 1958 in West Point, NY

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Derek Lee Ragin is a renowned American countertenor, conductor, and music educator. He was born on June 17, 1958, in West Point, New York, to a military family. His father was a career army officer, and his mother was a music teacher. Ragin grew up in various parts of the United States and Europe, where he was exposed to different cultures and musical traditions. Ragin's interest in music began at an early age, and he started singing in church choirs and school musicals. He attended the University of Maryland, where he studied voice and music education. After completing his undergraduate degree, he pursued further studies in music at the Juilliard School in New York City. Ragin's career as a professional musician began in the early 1980s when he joined the New York City Opera. He quickly gained recognition for his powerful and expressive voice, which was well-suited for the baroque and classical repertoire. He made his European debut in 1984 at the Glyndebourne Festival in England, where he sang the role of Oberon in Benjamin Britten's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Over the next few years, Ragin established himself as one of the leading countertenors of his generation. He performed with many of the world's top orchestras and opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He also collaborated with some of the most renowned conductors and composers of the time, such as Sir Simon Rattle, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, and Philip Glass. One of Ragin's most memorable performances was his portrayal of the title role in Handel's "Giulio Cesare" at the Glyndebourne Festival in 1985. His interpretation of the role was praised for its emotional depth and technical brilliance. He also received critical acclaim for his performances in other Handel operas, such as "Orlando" and "Rinaldo." In addition to his work as a performer, Ragin has also been active as a conductor and music educator. He has conducted many orchestras and choirs around the world, including the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Handel and Haydn Society. He has also taught voice and music at various institutions, including the University of Michigan and the University of California, Los Angeles. Ragin's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1990, he was awarded the prestigious Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording for his performance in Handel's "Rinaldo." He has also been awarded the Handel Prize by the London Handel Festival and the Golden Mask Award by the Russian National Theatre Award. Despite his many achievements, Ragin has faced challenges throughout his career. As a countertenor, he has had to overcome prejudice and skepticism from some quarters of the classical music world. He has also struggled with health issues, including a serious car accident in 1993 that left him with a broken neck and other injuries. Despite these challenges, Ragin has continued to perform and inspire audiences around the world. His voice remains one of the most distinctive and powerful in the world of classical music, and his dedication to his craft and his students has made him a beloved figure in the music community.

More....