Peter Elvins, a world-renowned opera singer, died on April 8 from esophageal cancer. He was 70.
As a child growing up in St. Louis, Elvins developed a passion for opera. At 15, he landed a chorister position with the prestigious Chautauqua Opera Company in New York. Elvins graduated with an English degree from Harvard University in 1955. He enlisted in the military and was one of the original members of the U.S. Army Chorus.
In 1957, Elvins married opera singer and voice teacher Anna Gabrieli, and became a professional performer. After appearing in lead roles in Spain, Austria, Germany, Italy and Belgium, Elvins and his wife moved back to the United States. He sang in New York, San Francisco and Connecticut productions, and spent nine years as a regular cast member with the Boston Lyric Opera.
When he wasn't sharing his elegant, low bass with audiences, Elvins taught voice lessons and courses in opera. He also wrote opera news and reviews for La Scala, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Italian magazine.
Posted on April 19, 2004 8:32 PMPeter Elvins gave me inspiration and a love for opera and the voice. His passion for this special and difficult art form was a gift I am still apprecaiting to this day. I use in my own teaching and performing the very fundamentals he instilled in me when I studied with him so many years ago. He let me see that music, voice and opera is a wonderful career and a way of life. I am indebted to him for these lessons.
Peter was a great man. Thank you Peter. Mark