Tribute to George Shirley on the occasion of his birthday "Fuor del mar" ( IDOMENEO by W.A.Mozart ) George Shirley, tenor BBC Orchestra- Sir Colin Davis 1969
The first black tenor to sing leading roles at the Met starting in 1961, (he was also the first African-American to win the Met National Council Auditions), although widely praised by the critics, he never received the acclaim and recording career he deserved in his own country. He is one of the most underappreciated tenors of his era. Fortunately he was able to sing widely in Europe. Blessed with a dark, rich tenor, he was a brilliant stylist, singing everything from Mozart to Verdi. He was also an excellent actor. Even as late as 1998, he was singing a fantastic Sportin' Life in a production of Porgy and Bess at Bregenz.
I had the honor of accompanying him and his students in the early '80s. He was one of the kindest artists I have ever met. A wonderful guy. All the more wonderful because of what he must have gone through being the first black leading tenor at the Met.
I've been listening to opera for more than 30 years and didn't know him. What a pity americans let prejudice win over art when it comes to race. What a fantastic voice. Bravissimo!
+Zashorigin Shirley had a big career and was a very well known international singer. Growing up in NY I heard him many times. Amazing that you never heard of him before now. He sang some 20 leading roles for over a decade at the MET. He also sang often with all the major American companies. Like many other very good singers at that time, he also didn't get to make a lot of recordings. But as for racism - nonsense! This was a time in which Leontyne Price, Martina Arroyo, Reri Grist, Shirley Verrett and Grace Bumbry, to name only a few were among the hugest stars at the MET. All with countless recordings to their names. This was because in their repertory, there were the best in the world. In Shirley's repertory, this was not case. For Mozart there were Kraus, Wunderlich, Gedda; for the bigger Italian rep (which he insisted on wanting to sing) there were Tucker, Bergonzi, Corelli, et.al.who were all better. Please,don't be so quick to play the racism card.
I'm reminded of something the black mezzo-soprano Shirley Verrett recalled in her memoirs. A German colleague was decrying all the racism in the US, and Verrett replied, "It's true there's racism, but at least we're doing something about it [the Civil Rights movement]. What about your country and the six million Jews?"
Forse Shirley è il miglior Idomeneo. Con la sua voce baritonale incarna perfettamente la figura del guerriero che torna in patria dopo avere combattuto dieci anni nella guerra di Troia. Ascoltate anche la sua interpretazione dell’aria “Torna la pace al core”. Bellissima.
Was blest to study with him at the University of Maryland in the mid 80's before he moved to the University of Michigan. One of the most wonderful humans I've ever met. A treasure in addition to being an incredible singer.
That was really virtuosic. J.B. Steane comments favorably on this rendition in his book THE GRAND TRADITION. Btw, the picture at around the 3:49 mark is of Shirley and Sherrill Milnes recording COSI FAN TUTTE in 1967. Ferrando in COSI was Shirley's Met debut role in 1961.
So often singers will sing Mozart as if it were boring. It's nice to hear such a thrilling interpretation. And the voice- my God! I've never heard him before. He's stunning.
A big voice. Incredible.
I grew up listening to Mr Shirley's interpretation of this role and his singing of this aria is still the best I know.
The first black tenor to sing leading roles at the Met starting in 1961, (he was also the first African-American to win the Met National Council Auditions), although widely praised by the critics, he never received the acclaim and recording career he deserved in his own country. He is one of the most underappreciated tenors of his era. Fortunately he was able to sing widely in Europe. Blessed with a dark, rich tenor, he was a brilliant stylist, singing everything from Mozart to Verdi. He was also an excellent actor. Even as late as 1998, he was singing a fantastic Sportin' Life in a production of Porgy and Bess at Bregenz.
I had the honor of accompanying him and his students in the early '80s. He was one of the kindest artists I have ever met. A wonderful guy. All the more wonderful because of what he must have gone through being the first black leading tenor at the Met.
I've been listening to opera for more than 30 years and didn't know him. What a pity americans let prejudice win over art when it comes to race. What a fantastic voice. Bravissimo!
+Zashorigin Shirley had a big career and was a very well known international singer. Growing up in NY I heard him many times. Amazing that you never heard of him before now. He sang some 20 leading roles for over a decade at the MET. He also sang often with all the major American companies. Like many other very good singers at that time, he also didn't get to make a lot of recordings. But as for racism - nonsense! This was a time in which Leontyne Price, Martina Arroyo, Reri Grist, Shirley Verrett and Grace Bumbry, to name only a few were among the hugest stars at the MET. All with countless recordings to their names. This was because in their repertory, there were the best in the world. In Shirley's repertory, this was not case. For Mozart there were Kraus, Wunderlich, Gedda; for the bigger Italian rep (which he insisted on wanting to sing) there were Tucker, Bergonzi, Corelli, et.al.who were all better. Please,don't be so quick to play the racism card.
Thank you so much.
I'm reminded of something the black mezzo-soprano Shirley Verrett recalled in her memoirs. A German colleague was decrying all the racism in the US, and Verrett replied, "It's true there's racism, but at least we're doing something about it [the Civil Rights movement]. What about your country and the six million Jews?"
Forse Shirley è il miglior Idomeneo. Con la sua voce baritonale incarna perfettamente la figura del guerriero che torna in patria dopo avere combattuto dieci anni nella guerra di Troia. Ascoltate anche la sua interpretazione dell’aria “Torna la pace al core”. Bellissima.
Thank you, Cossottiano!
Was blest to study with him at the University of Maryland in the mid 80's before he moved to the University of Michigan. One of the most wonderful humans I've ever met. A treasure in addition to being an incredible singer.
That was really virtuosic. J.B. Steane comments favorably on this rendition in his book THE GRAND TRADITION. Btw, the picture at around the 3:49 mark is of Shirley and Sherrill Milnes recording COSI FAN TUTTE in 1967. Ferrando in COSI was Shirley's Met debut role in 1961.
Bravissimooooooo !!!!!!
So often singers will sing Mozart as if it were boring. It's nice to hear such a thrilling interpretation. And the voice- my God! I've never heard him before. He's stunning.
Magnificent! Nothing is wanting- all energy and perfect technique! Bravo!!
e di nuovo buon compleanno!
Is George Shirley related to Don Shirley, the classical pianist portrayed in the movie THE GREEN BOOK?
Wonderful. such a beautiful voice. unforced and refine
bravo
Astounding...
Outstanding!