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1934
Born in Auckland
___________
1958
Guildhall School
of Music
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1959
Debuts with Welsh
National Opera
___________
1967
Covent Garden
debut as Pizarro
in Fidelio. Bases
himself at Bayreuth
until 1990
___________
1976
Performs in controversial
Ring Cycle production
by Patrice Chéreau
and Pierre Boulez
___________
1990
Performs in Die
Meistersinger for
New Zealand
International Arts
Festival
___________
1992
Knighted
___________
1995
Teaches MA classes
at the University
of Auckland
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Sir Donald McIntyre
Opera Singer
Donald McIntyre is among the most distinguished bass baritones of his generation.
Born in Auckland in 1934, Donald is now based in the United Kingdom. Growing up in New Zealand, far from the centres
of operatic traditions, Donald developed a style marked by freshness
and vitality, uncluttered by centuries of operatic formulae.With his powerful voice and impressive physique he commands the
stage effortlessly, while his dynamics and vocal texture lend subtlety
to his performance.
Donald initially trained as a schoolteacher. In 1958, after gaining
a government bursary, he travelled to London and studied at the Guildhall
School of Music. In 1959 he made his debut with the Welsh National
Opera and shortly afterwards joined Sadler's Wells as a soloist.
There he met conductor John Matheson, who pointed him in the direction
of Wagnerian Opera.
In 1967 he made his Covent Garden debut as Pizarro in Fidelio, starting
an association with the Royal Opera House that continues to this day.
His roles there have included Kurwenal in Tristan
und Isolde, Telramund in Lohengrin, Scarpia in Tosca, Nick Shadow in
The Rake's Progress and Kasper in Der Freischütz. He continued
to sing at Bayreuth until 1990, finishing with 150 performances to
his credit, and gaining immortality as Wotan in Bayreuth's unforgettable
centenary Ring Cycle in 1976.
Throughout his career Donald McIntyre has made frequent guest appearances
at all the major opera houses of the world. Such challenges have allowed
his talent to mature, as well as keeping his interpretations innovative
and daring.
Sir Donald's last New Zealand appearance was in the 2006 International Arts Festival opera Parsifal.
Sir Donald received a knighthood in 1992. He lives in the United Kingdom. |
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