Sherrill Milnes

Born in Downers Grove, Illinois, on January 10, 1935, Milnes started singing in his mother’s choir. He went on to study voice with Hermanus Baer, of the Northwestern Music School faculty. In 1960, he made his operatic debut as Masetto in Mozart’s "Don Giovanni" in Boston. In 1964, he appeared in "Faust" at the New York City Opera and was at the Metropolitan the next year. As a distinguished American baritone, Milnes has achieved prominence in Verdi roles, and has had roles in operas by Mozart, Wagner, Rossini, Puccini and others. In addition to American appearances, he has performed in Vienna, Hamburg, London, Paris, Milan and Verona. He has made numerous recordings and has appeared in concerts and televised operas. Milnes inaugurated the first Performing Arts Series at Northwestern’s Pick-Staiger Concert Hall in 1976.