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Jerome HinesAmerican opera singer (bass)
Date of Birth: 08.11.1921
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Jerome Heinz
- Opera Career and Achievements
- International Performances
- Later Career and Legacy
- Author and Family
- Legacy
Biography of Jerome Heinz
Jerome Albert Heinz, an American opera singer (bass), was born on November 8, 1921, in Hollywood, California. He studied mathematics and chemistry at the University of California while also taking vocal lessons. He made his debut at the San Francisco Opera in 1941, performing the role of Monterone in "Rigoletto". He changed his surname to "Heinz" on his manager's suggestion to avoid anti-German sentiments during World War II.
Opera Career and Achievements
In 1946, Heinz made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, performing in "Boris Godunov". He worked at the Met for forty-one seasons, longer than any other singer, and portrayed forty-five roles in thirty-nine operas. His towering height (around two meters) and thunderous voice made him perfect for roles such as Sarastro in "The Magic Flute", Mephistopheles in "Faust", Ramfis in "Aida", the Grand Inquisitor in "Don Carlos", the title role in "Boris Godunov", and King Marke in "Tristan und Isolde".
International Performances
In 1958, Heinz made his debut at La Scala in the role of Hercules. From 1958 to 1963, he performed in several operas in Beirut, including "Tristan und Isolde". In 1961, he appeared at the San Carlo Opera House as Mephistopheles. In 1962, Heinz sang "Boris Godunov" at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, for the then-Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, on the eve of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Later Career and Legacy
Afterwards, Heinz focused on teaching and founded the Opera Music Theatre Institute in New Jersey in 1987. However, he continued to perform on stage until the end of his life. His final role was the Grand Inquisitor at the Boston Bel Canto Opera, which he played in 2001 at the age of seventy-nine. A devout Christian, Heinz participated in the composition of the opera about the life of Jesus Christ, "I Am the Way". He sang the role of Jesus in 1968 and performed it multiple times worldwide.
Author and Family
Jerome Heinz authored his autobiography, "This is My Story, This is My Song", published in 1969, and two books on vocal technique - "The Four Voices of Man" in 1997 and "Great Singers on Great Singing" in 1982. Heinz passed away in 2003 at the age of eighty-one, in a Manhattan hospital. He was married to soprano Lucia Evangeliste from 1952 until her death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2000. They had four sons - David, Andrew, John, and Russell. Heinz spent most of his life in South Orange, New Jersey.
Legacy
His son, John Heinz, followed in his father's footsteps and is a musician, violinist, and vocalist. He is a member of the "Lauren Glick Band" and the duo "Landers & Heinz". In Maryland, John is a living icon, carrying on his father's musical legacy.
