Death of US tenor and conductor, 97
RIPThe American musician Herbert Handt, who spent most of his life in Italy, has died in Lucca, we have been informed.
Originally from Philadelphia, he made his debut as a tenor at the Vienna Opera in 1949 and as a conductor in Rome in 1960.
Handt founded the Marlia Festival and married the celebrated sculptor Laura Ziegler. .
We are still waiting for the re-issue of his first recording of Rossini’s Messa di Gloria. Still the best.
RIP.
In 1965 Handt sang the Captain in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Wozzeck and was Director of Lyric’s Apprentice Artist Program ( now Ryan Opera Center ) in the mid- 70s. He was also the Chorus Master in its 1975 season.
A superb artist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UumzOIvcuE&t=19s
In 1958, Herbert Handt created a supporting role — Dr. Zuckertanz — in the Menotti opera MARIA GOLOVIN. His part was intended as a parody of critics, which likely did not help with published reviews of the opera. The original RCA recording was re-issued by Naxos.