Putnam Griswold
The great German composer, Richard Wagner (1813-1883) wrote challenging and complex operas including” Parsifal,” The Ring Cycle,” “ Lohengrin,” “ Die Meistersinger, “ “Tristan und Isolde” and many others. The vocal demands on singers who perform roles in these operas are great. The vocal lines are long and complicated supported by an orchestra of 100 musicians. Wagnerian singers are the royalty of opera singers and are in demand. Less than thirty years after Wagner’s death, American bass-baritone Putnam Griswold (1875-1914) became known as the leading interpreter of Wagner’s heroic bass roles. His success did not come overnight and required years of training. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and raised in California, Griswold Putnam followed a business career. At the age of 22 he discovered his singing voice. He began his training in California, studied in London, Paris, Frankfurt and Berlin. His...