Harrell, Mack
Harrell, Mack
Harrell, Mack, distinguished American baritone, father of Lynn (Morris) Harrell; b. Celeste, Tex., Oct. 8, 1909; d. Dallas, Jan. 29, 1960. He studied violin and voice at the Juilliard School of Music in N.Y. In 1938 he made his concert debut at N.Y.’s Town Hall. After winning the Metropolitan Opera Auditions in 1938, he made his debut with the company in N.Y. on Dec. 16, 1939, as Biterolf; he remained on the roster until 1948, and returned there for the 1949-50, 1952-54, and 1957-58 seasons. On May 18, 1944, he made his first appearance at the N.Y.C. Opera as Germont, and returned there in 1948, 1951-52, and 1959. He also pursued a notably successful concert career. From 1945 to 1956 he taught voice at the Juilliard School of Music. He publ. The Sacred Hour of Song (N.Y., 1938). Harrell’s voice was one of remarkable lyrical beauty. Among his operatic roles were Papageno, Kothner, Amfortas, Jochanaan, Wozzeck, and Nick Shadow in The Rake’s Progress, which role he created in its U.S. premiere at the Metropolitan Opera on Feb. 14, 1953.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire