Bressler, Charles

views updated

Bressler, Charles

Bressler, Charles, American tenor; b. Kingston, Pa., April 1, 1926; d. N.Y., Nov. 28, 1996. After studies with Lucia Dunham, Sergius Kagen, and Marjorie Schloss at the Juilliard School of Music in N.Y. (graduated, 1950; postgraduate diploma, 1951), he became a founding member of the N.Y. Pro Musica, with which he toured widely (1953–63). He also was a founding member of the N.Y. Chamber Soloists (from 1957);likewise appeared with the Santa Fe Opera and the Washington (D.C.) Opera Soc, and toured Europe as a concert artist. He taught at various schools, including N.Y., Mannes Coll. of Music (from 1966) and Manhattan School of Music (from 1978). He was best known for his performances of early music, but also had success in contemporary roles.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire