Peter Elkus
Encyclopedia
Peter Elkus is a voice teacher giving master classes for both singers and instrumentalists.
His classes have been presented in 10 countries including University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, the Munich State Opera, the Accademia Musicale Ottorino Respighi
in Assisi
and Rome, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
in Paris and the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires
.
He was asked to assume the vacancy created by the death of his teacher, Sebastian Engelberg at the Mannes College of Music
where he was listed on the faculty for over a decade.
He has been judge of the Regional Auditions of the Metropolitan Opera
and President of the panel of judges for the Richard Wagner Foundation
, Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires.
He has authored the well received book The Telling of Our Truths - The Magic in Great Musical Performance (published in 2007; revised in 2009) with comments by Gerald Ginsberg (Composer and poet), Dr. Charles Kaufman (former President Mannes College of Music), Dalton Baldwin
(Pianist, accompanist, coach, educator and recording artist), Jean Luc Vannier (psychoanalyst, music critic and lecturer) Mut Asheru (Editor in Chief Unsigned, The Magazine) and Shinji Eshima (instrumentalist and composer with affiliations with the San Francisco Ballet and Opera Orchestras, San Francisco State University and San Francisco Conservatory of Music).
As a student, he attended opera workshops at the Goldovsky Opera Workshops, Denver Colorado and Wheeling West Virginia; Mannes College of Music New York, Hunter College New York and was chosen by Maria Callas
as a member of the Juilliard Opera Theater.
He met his former wife and student Frederica von Stade
at Mannes College in 1967. They married in 1973, have two daughters and divorced in 1990. He taught Ms. von Stade 1975–1985 during the absences, illnesses and the eventual death (1979) of their teacher Sebastian Engelberg. During this time in addition to many international prizes, the recordings of Ms. von Stade garnered one Grammy and 11 Grammy Nominations (8 in the category of Best Classical Vocalist).
In the Opera News article "Flicka in ¾ time", Donald Spoto
referred to Elkus’ influence on von Stade as having …"guided her through the thickets of an expanding repertory and a demanding worldwide schedule."
In the case Elkus v. Elkus, 572 N.Y.S.2d 901 (N.Y. App. Div. 1991) Elkus was defendant in a dispute with von Stade over marital property and earnings. The case is often used as case study in first year law school.
His classes have been presented in 10 countries including University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, the Munich State Opera, the Accademia Musicale Ottorino Respighi
Ottorino Respighi
Ottorino Respighi was an Italian composer, musicologist and conductor. He is best known for his orchestral "Roman trilogy": Fountains of Rome ; Pines of Rome ; and Roman Festivals...
in Assisi
Assisi
- Churches :* The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi is a World Heritage Site. The Franciscan monastery, il Sacro Convento, and the lower and upper church of St Francis were begun immediately after his canonization in 1228, and completed in 1253...
and Rome, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
The Théâtre des Champs-Élysées is a theatre at 15 avenue Montaigne. Despite its name, the theatre is not on the Champs-Élysées but nearby in another part of the 8th arrondissement of Paris....
in Paris and the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
.
He was asked to assume the vacancy created by the death of his teacher, Sebastian Engelberg at the Mannes College of Music
Mannes College of Music
Mannes College The New School for Music is The New School university's music conservatory. While the university's main campus is located in Greenwich Village, New York City, Mannes maintains its main academic building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan....
where he was listed on the faculty for over a decade.
He has been judge of the Regional Auditions of the Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
and President of the panel of judges for the Richard Wagner Foundation
Richard Wagner Foundation
The Richard Wagner Foundation was formed in 1973, when, faced with overwhelming criticism and Wagner family infighting, the Bayreuth Festival and its assets were transferred to the newly created Foundation...
, Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires.
He has authored the well received book The Telling of Our Truths - The Magic in Great Musical Performance (published in 2007; revised in 2009) with comments by Gerald Ginsberg (Composer and poet), Dr. Charles Kaufman (former President Mannes College of Music), Dalton Baldwin
Dalton Baldwin
Dalton Baldwin is an American collaborative pianist. He has made over 100 recordings and has won numerous prizes working with Elly Ameling and Gérard Souzay.-External links:*...
(Pianist, accompanist, coach, educator and recording artist), Jean Luc Vannier (psychoanalyst, music critic and lecturer) Mut Asheru (Editor in Chief Unsigned, The Magazine) and Shinji Eshima (instrumentalist and composer with affiliations with the San Francisco Ballet and Opera Orchestras, San Francisco State University and San Francisco Conservatory of Music).
As a student, he attended opera workshops at the Goldovsky Opera Workshops, Denver Colorado and Wheeling West Virginia; Mannes College of Music New York, Hunter College New York and was chosen by Maria Callas
Maria Callas
Maria Callas was an American-born Greek soprano and one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century. She combined an impressive bel canto technique, a wide-ranging voice and great dramatic gifts...
as a member of the Juilliard Opera Theater.
He met his former wife and student Frederica von Stade
Frederica von Stade
Frederica von Stade is an American mezzo-soprano. Born in Somerville, New Jersey, she acquired the nickname "Flicka" in her childhood. Von Stade attended the Mannes College of Music in New York City. She made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in 1970 and in 1971 appeared as Cherubino in The...
at Mannes College in 1967. They married in 1973, have two daughters and divorced in 1990. He taught Ms. von Stade 1975–1985 during the absences, illnesses and the eventual death (1979) of their teacher Sebastian Engelberg. During this time in addition to many international prizes, the recordings of Ms. von Stade garnered one Grammy and 11 Grammy Nominations (8 in the category of Best Classical Vocalist).
In the Opera News article "Flicka in ¾ time", Donald Spoto
Donald Spoto
Donald Spoto is an American celebrity biographer, Catholic theologian, and former monk. He is best known for his best-selling biographies of film and theatre celebrities such as Alfred Hitchcock, Laurence Olivier, Tennessee Williams, Ingrid Bergman, James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly,...
referred to Elkus’ influence on von Stade as having …"guided her through the thickets of an expanding repertory and a demanding worldwide schedule."
In the case Elkus v. Elkus, 572 N.Y.S.2d 901 (N.Y. App. Div. 1991) Elkus was defendant in a dispute with von Stade over marital property and earnings. The case is often used as case study in first year law school.
Sources
- Masterclasses. L’Association Art Musique Europeenne, Masterclasses