Christopher Purdy

Nico Castel is known far and wide as the definitive singer’s source for expert diction advice. Long before he made his name as a diction guru, Castel enjoyed a successful career as a character tenor, appearing on the stages of the Santa Fe Opera, New York City Opera, and the Met. He was also staff diction coach at the Met and codirector of a summer program. Castel passed away on May 31, 2015, and in his honor we reprint here much of the January 2007 cover story highlighting his life and work on and off the stage.

Nico Castel is known far and wide as the definitive singer’s source for expert diction advice. Long before he made his name as a diction guru, Castel enjoyed a successful career as a character tenor, appearing on the stages of Santa Fe Opera, New York City Opera, and the Met. Now, in his role as staff diction coach at the Met and codirector of a summer program, he shares his wealth of experience and knowledge with up-and-coming singers and established professionals alike.

Twenty years ago, Opera News came out and said it. “It’s that simple. Marilyn Horne is the greatest singer in the world.” In subsequent interviews, the lady herself sighed, “If only it were that simple.”

Shirley Verrett was born in 1931 to a religious family—one that frowned on a stage career. Nevertheless, she made her way—through teachers, through auditions, and through a bad first marriage—until she earned herself a place at the Juilliard School.

Someone once said that if you want to learn to sing, study from a coloratura soprano who can still sing well in her later years. This article is for all singers who want a long career. Study what she did and does vocally and physically. Miss Peters is still doing concerts, beautifully, at age 71.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? “Well, you could practice, of course. Or you could take the Seventh Avenue subway,” so chuckled Sherrill Milnes during a recent interview discussing

The beloved film Harvey, in which Jimmy Stewart goes contentedly through life with an imaginary rabbit friend, contains an unforgettable scene. Elwood P. Dowd’s befuddled aunt, deliciously played by Josephine

With both Ned Rorem and Aaron Copland at the piano, this recital by a great American soprano has to be called definitive.

What (and who) is a contralto?

The superb sound-restoration artist Ward Marsden brushes the dust off of two vintage masterpieces.