Alexander Kipnis

Alexander Kipnis , 1891-1978, Russian-American operatic bass. He studied conducting at the Warsaw Conservatory and voice in Berlin. He made his operatic debut (1915) in Hamburg. Imprisoned by the Germans in World War I as an enemy alien, he was freed and permitted to sing in Wiesbaden. From 1919 to 1930 he was the principal bass of the Berlin Opera Company. He appeared with the Chicago Opera Company (1923-32) and toured extensively. His debut at the Metropolitan Opera House (1940) was as Gurnemanz in Parsifal. He is noted for his performance of the role of Boris Godunov. His son, Igor Kipnis, 1931-2002, was a well-known harpsichordist.

Kipnis, Alexander (b Zhitomir, Ukraine, 1891; d Westport, Conn., 1978). Russ.-born bass (Amer. cit. 1931). Sang in operetta, Berlin 1913. Hamburg Opera 1915–17, Wiesbaden 1917–22, Berlin State Opera 1919–35. Left Ger. 1935. Vienna Opera 1935–8. Débuts: US (Baltimore 1923); Chicago Opera 1923–32; NY Met 1940; CG 1927; Bayreuth Fest. 1927; Glyndebourne 1936; Salzburg Fest. 1937. Also notable Lieder singer. Taught at Juilliard Sch. until he was past 80.

Kipnis, Igor (b Berlin, 1930; d Conn., 2002). Amer. harpsichordist and critic, son of Alexander Kipnis. Début NY 1959 (hpd.), Indianapolis 1981 (as fortepianist). Eur. tour 1967. Assoc. prof. of fine arts, Fairfield Univ., Conn., 1971–5, artist-in-residence 1975–7. Has taught at summer courses in Tanglewood and Indianapolis. Works written for him by Rochberg, Rorem, Kolb, R. R. Bennett, and McCabe.