- Ara Berberian
Ara Berberian (b.
Detroit ,Michigan ,May 14 ,1930 ; d.Boynton Beach ,Florida ,February 21 ,2005 ) was an Americanopera tic 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 hisMetropolitan Opera debut in 1979 as Zacharie inGiacomo Meyerbeer 's "Le prophète ". He also sang with theNew York City Opera , theSan Francisco Opera , and the Michigan Opera Theatre. In all, he sang over 100 roles during his career, perhaps most notably in the roll of Osmin inMozart 's "Abduction from the Seraglio " and the roll of Sparafucile inVerdi 's "Rigoletto ".Berberian was of Armenian ancestry and, in addition to his operatic repertoire, also sang and recorded music by Armenian composers such as
Komitas Vardapet andAlan 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. His love of the great outdoors was equaled by his love of singing opera.
External links
* [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1016/is_2_107/ai_78400002 Article on Berberian's former Michigan estate]
* [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Berberian-Ara.htm Biography at Bach-cantatas.com]
* [http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-222operasinger,0,2877120.story?coll=sfla-news-palm Obituary from the Associated Press]
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