Memories of Philip Langridge

There are so many comments about Philip on my blog, as well as on Facebook.  His life has produced so many indelible memories for thousands of music and opera lovers. 

For me it began forty six years ago when the 24 year old Philip Langridge joined the Glyndebourne Chorus.  It was a vintage year - they are always vintage years really for this cradle for so many years of the finest British singers.  But this year was the year that Luciano Pavarotti sang Idamante at Glyndebourne - and the chorus had an array of youngsters who were to go on the great careers.  In addition to Philip there was Richard van Allan, Ryland Davies, Anne Howells, and Stafford Dean.

And Philip was a permanent fixture for all of us in the British opera world, and more widely, as we saw this remarkable artists magical powers develop and broaden over his 46 year career. Excelling as he did in an extraordinarily wide repertoire of opera, oratorio, and song, and works of every century, he was a huge influence on generations of artists, conductors, and directors.  

Obituaries will be appearing in the press and online over the coming days and weeks.  This early one yesterday captures a good deal of Philip - no one can get it all!

Comments

[Tim Nelson]

I particularly love his recording of the Britten "Canticles". His voice will be missed for sure.

[Theresa]

And when those singers come together, the years jut fall away, and you can see the kids they were. When Langridge was himself, you could always see the kid he was, which makes his passing all the more impossible to swallow.

[lingin]

Philip's last performance on stage was the January 2 matinee of the Met's "Hansel and Gretel" and I was in the audience. It is the most bittersweet of memories.

I attended eight of the twelve Met performances of "Moses und Aron." It was a privilege to watch him and John Tomlinson work together and watch the development of the relationship and characterizations of the two brothers.

He was the best.

[Justin Vickers]

I was very fortunate to spend last summer studying with him privately in London during the run of the ROH Lulu and in the proceeding weeks... and Philip was an amazing teacher, mentor, inspiration. His approach to life was as prescient as was his approach to singing. I'll never forget the "Inner Game of Tennis" he loaned me, thinking it good for me to get out of the way and let the singing happen around me... and it did. Having heard him sing Grimes live at the MET in January 1997, it was a sheer joy 9and fright) to stand before him preparing the role... which he carefully discussed slowly and diligently, page by page. I will never be the same artist after such personal time with him and I hope to pass on his brand of authenticity in my own singing and teaching to a new generation of artists. Sweet, blessed rest to you Philip... and to Ann, peace.