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Charles AnthonyAmerican tenor
Date of Birth: 15.07.1929
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Charles Anthony: American Tenor Renowned for Character Roles
- Metropolitan Opera Debut and Recording Career
- Legendary Record at the Metropolitan Opera
- Television Appearances and Collaborations
- Legacy and Later Life
Charles Anthony: American Tenor Renowned for Character Roles
Early Life and EducationCalogero Antonio Caruso, later known as Charles Anthony, was born on July 15, 1929, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His parents were immigrants from Sicily. Anthony studied music at Loyola University New Orleans under the guidance of Dorothy Hulse. He graduated in 1951, having made his debut with the New Orleans Opera Association in 1947 as Il Messaggero in "Il trovatore."
Metropolitan Opera Debut and Recording Career
In 1951, Anthony auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera Auditions of the Air using his real name. While he passed, Sir Rudolf Bing, the MET's general manager, advised him to adopt a less famous surname to avoid comparisons with the legendary tenor Enrico Caruso.
Anthony's MET debut took place in 1954 as the Fool in "Boris Godunov." His performance garnered critical acclaim, with The New York Times cautioning that his vivid portrayal of smaller roles could hinder his chances at leading tenor roles. This prediction proved accurate, as Anthony's career was primarily marked by his exceptional artistry as a comprimario.
In 1956 and 1957, Anthony recorded excerpts from "Les contes d'Hoffmann," "Pagliacci," "La périchole," and "Don Pasquale" for the Metropolitan Opera Record Club. Later, in 1982, he recorded the role of Gastone in "La traviata," an opera he had performed with Maria Callas in 1958. In 1990, Anthony recorded the role of the Messenger in "Aïda."
Legendary Record at the Metropolitan Opera
On February 17, 1992, following Act II of Puccini's "Tosca," a ceremony was held to commemorate Anthony's record-breaking performance, surpassing George Cehanovsky's previous record for the most appearances at the MET.
By the time of his retirement, Anthony had performed 2,928 times over 56 seasons, making him one of the most prolific singers in the company's history. He was an honorary member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
Television Appearances and Collaborations
Anthony participated in numerous MET broadcasts, including "Otello" conducted by James Levine (1979); "Elektra" with Birgit Nilsson and "Un ballo in maschera" with Katia Ricciarelli (1980); "Il trittico" with Renata Scotto and "Rigoletto" with Louis Quilico (1981).
In the following years, he appeared in "Der Rosenkavalier" with Kiri Te Kanawa, "Idomeneo" by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, and "Tannhäuser" with Richard Cassilly (1982); "Don Carlos" with Plácido Domingo and "Ernani" with Luciano Pavarotti (1983).
Legacy and Later Life
Charles Anthony's repertoire spanned a vast range of operas, including "Lohengrin," "Dialogues des Carmélites," "Ariadne auf Naxos," "Il barbiere di Siviglia," "La fanciulla del West," "Stiffelio," "Simon Boccanegra," "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg," "Fedora," and "Samson et Dalila."
After retiring from the MET, Anthony lived in Tampa, Florida, where he passed away on February 15, 2012, at the age of 82. He left behind a legacy as an unforgettable character tenor who graced the stage with countless memorable performances.
