Richard Cassilly

American Operatic Tenor

Richard Cassilly was an American tenor known for his powerful voice and dramatic presence, particularly in the Wagnerian opera repertoire. Born on December 14, 1927, in Washington, D.C., he became one of the leading heldentenors of his time. Cassilly made his professional debut in 1954 and went on to perform at major opera houses around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where he sang for over 30 years. His interpretations of roles such as Tristan in "Tristan und Isolde," Siegmund in "Die Walküre," and the title role in "Tannhäuser" were highly acclaimed. Cassilly's career spanned over three decades, during which he also appeared in numerous opera recordings. He passed away on January 30, 1998. While specific albums titled "Tannhauser" by Richard Cassilly may not be readily identifiable, his contributions to Wagnerian opera and his performances in various productions of "Tannhäuser" have been documented and celebrated within the classical music community.