I am not much of an opera fan. That is to say, I am not an opera fan at all, but I can appreciate a great voice. One of those great voices just passed away and there are speculations that another one is seriously ill.
World class tenor Jerry Hadley died today, a week after he attempted suicide. He was found unconscious last week in his Clinton Corners home after shooting himself with a air rifle. The 55-year-old had been on life support, but was removed from it two days ago.
Hadley had a reputation for taking on demanding work, including “The Great Gatsby” at the Metropolitan Opera in 1999, the title role in “Candide” in 1989, and “Liverpool Oratorio” in 1991. In 2004, he was a part of Leos Janacek’s Grammy winning opera “Jenufa.”
Although it appeared he was admired by colleagues and admirers such as James Levine, the music director at the Metropolitan Opera, he also had a dark side. Hadley suffered from depression and he had been having financial problems as of late. He was arrested last year in Manhattan for driving while intoxicated, but since he was not actually driving the car when the police cited him, the charges were dropped.
Another famous tenor under the microscope is the world-renowned singer Luciano Pavarotti. The media is circling like vultures since the 71-year-old opera star had surgery last year for a malignant pancreatic mass. His wife, Nicoletta Mantovani said Wednesday that he is “fighting like a lion” and reacting well to radiotherapy. She went on to say, “I can now say he is doing well.” But, the media does not seem to be convinced. After the surgery, all his remaining appearances were cancelled and as of this month, he still has not made a public appearance.
One of Pavarotti’s own daughters helped fuel the fire when she told an Italian women’s magazine earlier this month that her father “knows he will die soon.” Pavarotti’s manager said he is teaching and working on a new recording, so I suppose only time will tell how Pavarotti’s health really is.