Opera Singer. A native of San Juan, Elvira was the son of a dance orchestra leader. He began his musical career playing the trumpet in his father's orchestra and later with his own orchestra. After being introduced to Pablo Casals, Pablo launched his singing career by successfully auditioning for a part in that composer’s oratorio El Pesebre, which led to Elvira's touring and recording with Casals. In 1966, he auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera, and was selected to join the Indiana University School of Music vocal faculty. He taught there for eight years and performed leading baritone roles in the opera school's productions. Elvira debuted at New York City's Metropolitan Opera in 1978, and became one of its leading baritones. Also in New York, he performed with such opera greats as Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, and Placido Domingo, to name a few. Elvira sang in opera houses and concert halls around the world, including France, Germany, South America, Australia, Puerto Rico, Israel, and the United States. His most outstanding role was that of Figaro in ``The Barber of Seville.
Opera Singer. A native of San Juan, Elvira was the son of a dance orchestra leader. He began his musical career playing the trumpet in his father's orchestra and later with his own orchestra. After being introduced to Pablo Casals, Pablo launched his singing career by successfully auditioning for a part in that composer’s oratorio El Pesebre, which led to Elvira's touring and recording with Casals. In 1966, he auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera, and was selected to join the Indiana University School of Music vocal faculty. He taught there for eight years and performed leading baritone roles in the opera school's productions. Elvira debuted at New York City's Metropolitan Opera in 1978, and became one of its leading baritones. Also in New York, he performed with such opera greats as Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, and Placido Domingo, to name a few. Elvira sang in opera houses and concert halls around the world, including France, Germany, South America, Australia, Puerto Rico, Israel, and the United States. His most outstanding role was that of Figaro in ``The Barber of Seville.
Bio by: Jose Ruiz-Alvarez
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