US bass-baritone, RIP
RIPThe international bass-baritone Robert Hale died this week at the age of 90.
He sang in major opera houses and festivals and recorded extensively, notably on Dohnanyi’s Wagner recordings for Decca.
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Great singer. RIP.
https://youtu.be/fdZ_H0rwpxI?feature=shared
The cancellation of Cleveland’s Ring cycle (with Hale as Wotan) after ‘Walkure’ was a great loss. This was followed by Decca’s dropping of the orchestra’s recording contract. ‘Siegfried’ eventually became Dohnanyi’s farewell program as MD; it was recorded live and broadcast (though I’ve never heard it).
I knew that the Ring project also aborted becouse of the defection of the singer that Donhany wanted as Siegfried
Long before Robert Hale recorded Wagner, he was known for evangelical Christian music. He recorded old hymns and modern settings such as “Zion’s Walls,” and often sang them in church concerts with the tenor Dean Wilder. This along with his opera career.
Jerome Hines and Norman Treigle were two other American basses who were devoted to what was described as “the ministry of sacred song.”
Not only was he a great operatic and Christian music baritone, he was a tremendous man and colleague.
Is Robert Hale’s passing confirmed? I received a message from a well-known German soprano. According to her Mr Hale had sent her a message on 26.08. at 16.53. What is true?
Is your “well known German soprano” alive or dead? She could have been contacting him from the great beyond. Or Valhalla.
A fine singer. I greatly admired him as I was learning the ropes and discovering who truly met the demands of our business. He always maintained elegance. An inspiring legacy.
Great voice. Heard him and Dean Wilder, accompanied by Ovid Young at a local church years ago. Wonderful concert of sacred music.
I heard Robert Hale and Gene Wilder in concert at my church, Warren first Church of the Nazarene, Warren Ohio. The concert was understandably outstanding! The quality of their voices blending together was beautiful and inspiring. After the service, I, along with my wife Carol, was privileged to join with my pastor and his wife Reverend and Mrs Lawrence Tucker, as we enjoyed a wonderful lunch with Bob Hale and Gene Wilder at the Brown Derby restaurant in Warren Ohio. The conversation was joyous, uplifting and inspiring as we joined in celebration of the Lord today. Two enormous talents dedicated to spreading the Christian gospel! One of the highlights of my life.