Death of a US-based Russian opera conductor

The Pennsylvania voice coach Victoria Hart has posted sad news of the death of her husband, Valery Ryvkin:

Dear Friends and Colleagues, I am so very sad to tell you that my darling husband Valery Ryvkin passed away in his sleep early Wednesday morning. Most of you will not know that he was battling a rare and deadly form of cancer and sadly lost the fight. His passing leaves an enormous hole in my heart, and that of his beloved daughter Amanda Ryvkin and his father Alexander Ryvkin. There is a Russian saying, “many people love music, but music loves very few.” Music adored Valery, and the feeling was mutual. Orchestras threw roses on the stage when he conducted, and singers felt buoyed by his conducting and uplifted by his coaching. His was a unique talent not only for making music, but for imbuing those around him with his robust, deeply felt, and intellectually rigorous approach. And always that cherubic smile and delight in all things lovely and his delicious laugh at all things silly. He will be missed.

Valery Ryvkin was Associate Professor of Voice and Opera at Temple University Boyer College of Music and Artistic Director and Conductor of Temple Opera. He also worked in in Suzhou, China, LA Opera’s Young Artist Program, Queens College, Pittsburgh Opera and more.

Full obituary here.