Transcribe
Translate
Cecile Cooper newspaper clippings, 1966-1987
1981-12-31 Estes turns down U of I""
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
Zikun Chen Estes turns down U of I NEW YORK —— Simon Estes had two ambitions: to make his debut at the Metropolitan Opera and to sing the national anthem when his alma mater, the University of Iowa, made the Rose Bowl. Estes' professional singing career took off when he won the 1966 Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow, and has since taken him to most of the leading opera houses of Europe —— but the bass baritone has never performed at the Met. This year the University of Iowa made it to the Rose Bowl —— the first time since 1958, university has invited him to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner." Unfortunately, Estes' other dream has come true at the same time: He will make his debut at the Met in "Tannhauser" on Jan. 4, and the dress rehearsal is New Year's Eve, making it impossible for him to get to Pasadena the next day in time for the game. With regret, Estes chose the Met over the Rose Bowl. "It would have been a tremendous honor to have sung the national anthem for my alma mater, and the Rose Bowl is the bowl game of them all," he said. "I'm really very sad that I couldn't do it. But I've been waiting to sing at the Met for 17 years, and it's a big hurdle to have finally jumped over."
Saving...
prev
next
Zikun Chen Estes turns down U of I NEW YORK —— Simon Estes had two ambitions: to make his debut at the Metropolitan Opera and to sing the national anthem when his alma mater, the University of Iowa, made the Rose Bowl. Estes' professional singing career took off when he won the 1966 Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow, and has since taken him to most of the leading opera houses of Europe —— but the bass baritone has never performed at the Met. This year the University of Iowa made it to the Rose Bowl —— the first time since 1958, university has invited him to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner." Unfortunately, Estes' other dream has come true at the same time: He will make his debut at the Met in "Tannhauser" on Jan. 4, and the dress rehearsal is New Year's Eve, making it impossible for him to get to Pasadena the next day in time for the game. With regret, Estes chose the Met over the Rose Bowl. "It would have been a tremendous honor to have sung the national anthem for my alma mater, and the Rose Bowl is the bowl game of them all," he said. "I'm really very sad that I couldn't do it. But I've been waiting to sing at the Met for 17 years, and it's a big hurdle to have finally jumped over."
Campus Culture
sidebar
