Ara Berberian
Ara Berberian (b. Detroit, Michigan, May 14, 1930; d. Boynton Beach, Florida, February 21, 2005) was an American operatic bass singer.
Berberian made his debut in 1958 with the Turnau Opera in Woodstock, New York, as Don Magnifico in Rossini's La Cenerentola. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1979 as Zacharie in Giacomo Meyerbeer's Le prophète.[1] He also sang with the New York City Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and the Michigan Opera Theatre. In all, he sang over 100 roles during his career,[1] perhaps most notably in the roll of Osmin in Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio and the roll of Sparafucile in Verdi's Rigoletto.
Berberian was of Armenian ancestry[1] and, in addition to his operatic repertoire, also sang and recorded music by Armenian and Armenian-American composers such as Komitas and Alan Hovhaness; he recorded three LP albums of the latter composer's songs.
Berberian was an active environmentalist and had a keen interest in preserving forest land and old barns.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d "Ara Berberian, 74, a Bass In Opera and Musical Theater". The New York Times. February 24, 2005. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60E13FB3D590C778EDDAB0894DD404482. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
[edit] External links
- Article on Berberian's former Michigan estate
- Biography at Bach-cantatas.com
- Obituary from the Associated Press
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