Jerome Hines Quotes
Jerome Hines (1921-2003) was an American operatic bass-baritone who had a long and distinguished career in opera, concert, and recital. He was particularly noted for his performances of the title roles in Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen and Verdi’s Falstaff. He was also a noted interpre…Read More
Jerome Hines (1921-2003) was an American operatic bass-baritone who had a long and distinguished career in opera, concert, and recital. He was particularly noted for his performances of the title roles in Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen and Verdi’s Falstaff. He was also a noted interpreter of the works of Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven. Hines was a frequent guest artist with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where he sang more than 500 performances between 1945 and 1972. He also appeared with many of the world’s leading opera companies, including the San Francisco Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Royal Opera House in London. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the National Medal of Arts in 1993.Read Less
Jerome Hines (1921-2003) was an American operatic bass-baritone who had a long and distinguished career in opera, concert, and recital. He was particularly noted for his performances of the title roles in Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen and Verdi’s Falstaff. He was also a noted interpreter of the works of Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven. Hines was a frequent guest artist with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where he sang more than 500 performances between 1945 and 1972. He also appeared with many of the world’s leading opera companies, including the San Francisco Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Royal Opera House in London. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the National Medal of Arts in 1993.
Jerome Hines Career Highlights
- Hines made his professional opera debut in 1941 at the San Francisco Opera as Monterone in Verdi’s Rigoletto.
- He joined the Metropolitan Opera in 1946 and became a leading bass, performing in over 45 roles during his time there.
- Hines was the first American bass to sing at the Bayreuth Festival in Germany, where he performed the role of Gurnemanz in Wagner’s Parsifal.
- He also performed at other prestigious opera houses such as La Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera.
- Hines was known for his versatility, performing a wide range of roles from the dramatic to the comedic, including Mephistopheles in Gounod’s Faust, Boris Godunov in Mussorgsky’s opera of the same name, and Don Basilio in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville.
- In addition to his opera career, Hines also appeared in several Broadway productions, including the original production of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide.
- He was a prolific recording artist, with over 50 albums to his name, including complete recordings of Wagner’s Ring Cycle and Verdi’s Aida.
- Hines was also a published author, writing several books on opera and his own autobiography, “This is My Story, This is My Song.”
Key Contributions by Jerome Hines
- Hines was a pioneer in bringing opera to a wider audience through his performances on television and radio. He was a regular on the Texaco Metropolitan Opera Radio Broadcasts and appeared on popular TV shows such as “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Tonight Show.”
- He was a vocal advocate for the arts and worked to make opera more accessible to the general public. He often gave lectures and masterclasses, and was a mentor to many young opera singers.
- Hines was also a champion of American composers, premiering several new works and promoting American opera abroad.
- He was a dedicated humanitarian, using his platform to raise awareness and funds for various charitable causes, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
What Sets Jerome Hines Apart
- Hines’ powerful and resonant voice, combined with his commanding stage presence, made him a standout performer in the world of opera.
- He was known for his versatility, being able to perform a wide range of roles with equal skill and artistry.
- Hines’ dedication to promoting American opera and making it more accessible to the public set him apart from his contemporaries.
- He was not only a talented performer but also a prolific author and recording artist, leaving a lasting legacy in both the written and recorded form.
Takeaways
- Jerome Hines was a highly accomplished and versatile opera singer, with a career that spanned over four decades.
- He was a pioneer in bringing opera to a wider audience through his performances on television and radio.
- Hines was a vocal advocate for the arts and a champion of American composers.
- He was not only a talented performer but also a dedicated humanitarian, using his platform to raise awareness and funds for various charitable causes.
- Hines’ legacy continues to live on through his recordings, writings, and the impact he had on the world of opera.
Other People
Opera singer
· Mexico
1975
Opera Singer
· Italy
1966
Opera singer
· Australia
Opera singer
· Italy
1873 - 1921
