Bayreuth’s American hero is taking early retirement

Bayreuth’s American hero is taking early retirement

News

norman lebrecht

August 25, 2023

The imposing American heldentenor Stephen Gould has announced his retirement from singing ‘due to health reasons’.

He is 62 and was forced to cancel several roles this summer at Bayreuth.

In a statement issued by his agency, Gould said: ‘I look back with gratitude on my thirty-year career and the encounters and collaborations with many outstanding artistic personalities.’

Comments

  • Player says:

    This is sad news – one of the few who could actually sing the role of Tristan with voice intact at the end!

  • guest says:

    At 62 it’s hardly “early” retirement. Every singer is well past their prime at that age.

  • Herbert Glöckner says:

    He was always outstanding from the beginning to the end of his challenging roles. This is really sad news.

  • fragende Frau says:

    Yes, really sad news. We have many happy memories of travelling to hear his wonderful Tristan and Tannhaüser and Siegfried and enjoying his beautiful and secure voice. He always seemed particularly at ease singing at the Semperoper and responded graciously to well-wishers.

    Happy retirement, Stephen Gould, we hope your health issues are not too serious.

    • Jonathan Sutherland says:

      I concur.
      Gould was not only a consistently impressive heldentenor, he was a fun guy to have a beer with as well.

  • Joel Kemelhor says:

    Wishing him a happy retirement. His past broadcasts from Bayreuth were impressive.

  • Tom Phillips says:

    Sorry to hear he’s still fairly impressive vocally especially for his age. Vastly underutilized at the Met where we have suffered from mostly inferior heldentenors for the last 25 years or so.

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