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Andrea VelisAmerican tenor
Country:
 USA |
Content:
Biography of Andrea Velis
Andrea Velis was an American tenor who achieved great success during his career. Born in 1927 in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Velis was of Greek descent. His original surname was Capsambelis, but he adopted the stage name Andrea Velis.
Early Life and Musical Training
Velis' father hoped that he would join the family restaurant business, but his talent for singing was evident from a young age. A music teacher in his high school recognized his vocal abilities and introduced him to Louise Taylor, a respected vocal teacher in Pittsburgh. Velis continued his training with Taylor even after graduating from high school.
After serving in the American army in Japan, Velis returned to Pittsburgh and saved money to study in Italy. He received a Fulbright grant, which allowed him to study at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome under the tutelage of Geni Sadero. Velis honed his skills in Italy for five years before returning to the United States.
Professional Career
Velis began his professional career in Pittsburgh, where he specialized in comprimario roles. He performed in the local opera and gained experience in Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Philadelphia Opera, and Cincinnati Opera. It was during his time in Cincinnati that Velis caught the attention of Fausto Cleva, the principal conductor of the Metropolitan Opera (Met). Cleva spoke highly of Velis' talent, and his recommendation led to an audition with Rudolph Bing, the legendary director of the Met.
In 1961, Velis made his debut in the Met and quickly became a regular member of the company. He signed an exclusive contract with the theater and remained a constant presence until his sudden death from a heart attack in 1994. Velis performed over 60 roles in the Metropolitan Opera, earning a reputation as one of the company's finest comprimario artists. He holds the record for the most performances in a season, with 106 appearances.
Legacy and Contributions
Throughout his career, Velis portrayed a wide range of characters, showcasing his exceptional talent for rhythm and diction. His most frequent role at the Met was Spoletta in "Tosca," which he performed 130 times. Velis also excelled in roles such as Don Basilio and Don Curzio in "Le Nozze di Figaro," Monostatos in "Die Zauberflote," Altoum in "Turandot," and the Witch in "Hansel and Gretel," among others. In total, he participated in 1867 performances at the Met.
In addition to his work in the theater, Velis specialized in performing Benjamin Britten's operas. He also appeared as a guest soloist with the New York Philharmonic, Miami Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony, and Santiago Opera Company in South America. Velis recorded with Columbia Records and Deutsche Grammophon.
Velis' contribution to the world of opera was significant, and his talent as a tenor and his memorable performances continue to be celebrated. He passed away in 1994 at the age of 67 from heart failure.
