Ara Berberian, 74, Bass Sang at Met
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Ara Berberian, a bass singer who performed at New York’s Metropolitan Opera for 20 years, died Monday at his home in Boynton Beach, Fla. He was 74.
The Detroit native was known for the full-bodied warmth, lyricism, and consistency he brought to more than 100 roles.
He debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in 1979 as Zacharie in Meyerbeer’s “Le Prophete.” His other notable roles include Osmin in Mozart’s “The Abduction from the Seraglio,” Don Basilio in Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville,” and Pimen in Mussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov.”
Before turning to opera, Berberian practiced law for a year. He also tried out for baseball’s minor leagues. When he sang the national anthem at the 1984 World Series at Tiger Stadium, he called it a bigger thrill than his Met debut.
