Kurt Ollmann
Kurt Ollmann(born January 19, 1957, inRacine, Wisconsin),[1]is an Americanoperaticbaritone,known for his frequent musical association with composer and conductorLeonard Bernsteinfrom 1982 until Bernstein's death in 1990. He has performed extensively, in opera,musical theatre,and solo recitals.
Early life
[edit]Ollmann was born, and grew up, in Racine, Wisconsin. From age 12 to 14, he and his family lived inParis.[2]They then returned to Racine, where he attendedHorlick High School.[2]He attendedBowdoin College,graduating in 1977 with a degree inRomance languages.[2]
Career
[edit]After college, Ollmann moved toMilwaukee,Wisconsin to begin a singing and theatrical career. He studied singing withMarlena Malas,Yolanda MarculescuandGérard Souzay.[1]He also became a member of theSkylight Opera Theatrein Milwaukee.[1]
In 1982 Ollmann moved toNew York City.There he was introduced to Leonard Bernstein, and he performed in Bernstein's operaA Quiet Placein 1984.[3]Ollmann was selected by Bernstein to sing Riff for the 1984 recording ofWest Side Story,which Bernstein was conducting for the first time nearly 30 years after he'd composed the music. Atelevision documentarywas made about these recording sessions.[4]Ollmann sang the role of Maximilian for the recording ofCandide,which was again composed and conducted by Bernstein.[1]
In the 2000s Ollmann served as an associate professor of music at theUniversity of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.[5]
Awards and honors
[edit]Both the 1984 recording ofWest Side Storyand the 1989 recording ofCandidewon Grammy awards in the categories ofBest Musical Theater AlbumandBest Classical Album,respectively.
Ollmann received anhonorary degreein music from his alma mater, Bowdoin, in 1988.[6]
Personal life
[edit]In the 1990s Ollmann lived inSanta Fe, New Mexico,with his then-partner, director andA Quiet PlacelibrettistStephen Wadsworth.[2]In 2000 Ollmann returned to Milwaukee.[5]
His current partner is Bill Lavonis, an operatic tenor, whom he began dating in 2000; the two have sometimes performed together.[5]
In 2014, he and Lavonis moved toSavannah, Georgia.[7]
Select discography
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcdEriksson, Erik."Kurt Ollmann: Artist Biography".AllMusic.
- ^abcdRoberts, Lee (July 25, 2003)."Kurt Ollmann's voice propels him around world".The Journal Times.
- ^Holland, Bernard (July 24, 1984)."Opera: 'A Quiet Place' by bernstein, in Washington".The New York Times.
- ^"Kiri te Kanawa - the Making of West Side Story Documentary - YouTube".YouTube.
- ^abcdSteinbach, Julie (February 13, 2015)."Opera's Kurt Ollmann returns for a Milwaukee cabaret".Milwaukee Gazette.
- ^Bowdoin College: Commencement 1988
- ^Kosidowski, Paul (February 27, 2015)."'Big Nate,' 'Come Back' and the MSO ".Milwaukee.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
