Death of international US tenor, 85

Death of international US tenor, 85

RIP

norman lebrecht

July 01, 2023

The impressive American tenor Kenneth Riegel died on June 28 at the age of 85.

He appeared at the Met more than 100 times, sang Alwa in the first complete Lulu in 1979 and created the role of the Leper in Messiaen’s Saint François d’Assise.

Comments

  • Fabio Luisi says:

    A great artist and the nicest person. We worked together in Bregenz for Zandonai’s “Francesca da Rimini,” he sang Malatestino brilliantly.

  • Merry says:

    RIP. He was wonderful as Herod at ROH in 90s. His lines such as “Ich verbiete ihm, das zu tun.” conveyed the hysteria and weakness of the character perfectly.

  • Christopher Leo King says:

    Excellent as Mephistopheles in Busoni’s Doktor Faust with an equally excellent Richard Stillwell at Wolf Trap amongst other performances

  • David Barcena says:

    Wonderful, versatile artist. Sang in Chicago many times in the 70s & 80s with the CSO – Orchestra Hall and Ravinia – and Lyric Opera. Nice man. Recorded Berlioz’ Damnation of Faust with Solti and CSO.

  • Tom Phillips says:

    A very underrated artist, with great characterization. If he had emerged during this current period dominated by overpromoted generic mediocrities he would rightly be recognized as vastly superior.

  • Gareth Morrell says:

    A great Herod, a definitive Alwa, and the warmest and most generous of colleagues. RIP.

  • Dallan Gockley says:

    I never personally knew Kenny. But, my wife & I live in the house that he was born & raised in. We bought it from his mother 27 years ago. A few of my relatives went to school with him.

  • Rob says:

    He sang Doctor Marianus in Mahler 8 on multiple recordings:

    Bernstein:

    VPO Salzburg (Audio 1975)
    VPO Vienna Konzerthaus (Video 1975)

    Inbal

    Levine (First part)

    Ozawa

    Tennstedt (1991 Festival Hall)

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