Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

June 16, 1952 in Peoria, IL

Death

:

July 18, 2007 in Poughkeepsie, NY

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Jerry Hadley was an American tenor who was born on June 16, 1952, in Manlius, New York. He was the youngest of three children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a church choir director, and his mother was a pianist. Hadley began singing in his church choir at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Hadley attended the University of Illinois, where he studied voice and music education. He later received a master's degree in voice from the Manhattan School of Music. During his time in school, Hadley began to gain recognition for his talent as a tenor. He won several awards, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 1978. Hadley made his professional debut in 1978 with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, where he performed the role of Ferrando in Mozart's "Così fan tutte." He quickly gained a reputation as a versatile and talented tenor, and his career took off. He performed with many of the world's leading opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Vienna State Opera. One of Hadley's most notable performances was his portrayal of Tom Rakewell in Stravinsky's "The Rake's Progress" at the Metropolitan Opera in 1984. The performance was widely praised, and Hadley received critical acclaim for his portrayal of the character. He went on to perform the role in several other productions, including at the Royal Opera House in London. Hadley was also known for his performances of the works of Benjamin Britten. He performed in several productions of Britten's operas, including "Peter Grimes," "Billy Budd," and "The Turn of the Screw." Hadley's performances of Britten's music were highly regarded, and he was considered one of the leading interpreters of the composer's work. In addition to his work in opera, Hadley was also a successful concert performer. He performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He was particularly known for his performances of the works of Handel and Mozart. Hadley received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1982, he was awarded the Richard Tucker Award, which is given annually to an American singer who is on the verge of a major international career. He was also awarded the Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording in 1992 for his performance in "The Rake's Progress." Despite his success, Hadley struggled with personal issues throughout his life. He suffered from depression and alcoholism, and in 2007, he tragically took his own life at the age of 55. Jerry Hadley was a talented and versatile tenor who made a significant impact on the world of classical music. His performances were widely praised, and he was considered one of the leading tenors of his generation. Although his life was cut short, his legacy lives on through his recordings and performances, which continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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