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Evelyn Lear Obituary
Longtime friend and collaborator John Edward Niles says Lear died Sunday at a nursing home in Sandy Spring, Md. He says she had been ailing for months after suffering a mild stroke.
Lear and her late husband Thomas Stewart, the acclaimed bass-baritone, settled in the Maryland suburbs near Washington after singing together for decades around the world. They wanted to be closer to their grandchildren.
After being overlooked by U.S. opera houses, Lear won fame in Vienna singing the title character in Alban Berg's "Lulu."
Leaders in the opera world are lauding her versatility, beauty, musicality and stage presence.
BRETT ZONGKER, Associated Press
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
27 Entries
David Murphy
January 1, 2013
Already a great fan of Evelyn Lear from her recordings I had the privilege of attending a glorious recital of duets with her late husband Thomas Stewart in London at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. It was a marvelous unforgettable gift to my musical education. The audience and I were absolutely enthralled by their singing, completely enchanted. Offering my heartfelt condolences. What a sad year this has been with the loss of so many great singers of Evelyn Lear's generation, but at least we have their work on records and our individual memories.
Hely Tjaden
July 22, 2012
Hello Bonni, I was greatly saddened to hear of your mother's death. I remember her very well. I have been tring to get in touch for some months. If you want to contact me, my email address is: [email protected]. Much love to you and yours, Hely
Sue Higdon
July 13, 2012
My son-in-law was a student of Evelyn's and I was invited to accompany him to a master class in her home. I was amazed at her ability to improve on an already incredible tenor voice with her suggestions. She delighted us with stories and pictures. She was very kind!
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B Williams
July 8, 2012
Our deepest sympathies to Ms.Lears family and friends. May you find peace and comfort in Phillipians 4:6,7
Pierce Brennan
July 7, 2012
My deepest condolences to Evelyn's family, and to all those who loved her. She was a wonderful woman and a truly great artist. Her work will live on.
July 6, 2012
May the peace God's promise offers help to ease your grief today.
And may He always be beside you as you go along life's way.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Green, L.-West P. Bch., FLA 33407
July 6, 2012
Sincere condolences for your loss. As you cherish fond memories of Evelyn, also know that the God of all comfort feels your sorrow and He also cares for you during this difficult time. 1 Pet 5:7
July 5, 2012
To the the family of Evelyn Lear - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that she will be missed by many.
KEN&MARY O'DANIEL
July 5, 2012
WE ARE SENDING OUR LOVE,PRAYERS,&CONDOLENCES TO THE LEAR FAMILY,FRIENDS,FANS,&ALL WHO KNEW EVELYN.
July 5, 2012
Our thoughts and best wishes are with you the family. Draw comfort from God's word which promises that He will swallow up death forever and will replace this dying times we live into a beautiful new earth with happy people. Psalms37:10,29.
Carla Rae Cook
July 4, 2012
All of my thoughts and prayers are with the dear family of Evelyn Lear. She was a wonderful artist and beautiful singer. I worked with her and her husband Thomas Steward (Wagner's "Ring Cycle") at San Francisco Opera (Berg's "Lulu") and loved them both. My most sincere condolences. I will miss Evelyn.
Teddy Guerrant
July 4, 2012
I came to know Evelyn Lear about four years ago as the primary accompanist for her private vocal coachings at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she was an Artist-in-Residence on our faculty. Evelyn had an uncanny ability to discover the tiniest of flaws in each and every singer that, when identified and corrected, would result in extraordinary vocal progress for that student. She was warm, caring, sometimes even funny, and very generous with her time and expertise. I also accompanied her once to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA for a masterclass where she was a big hit with their students and faculty. Occasionally I would go (and a gifted student might sometimes accompany me) to her lovely home across from the golf course for supper at her favorite area restaurant, "Mama Lucia's," or at the nearby golf club, and I/we would enjoy anecdotes, recordings, and wise advice from her long and very distinguished career. Evelyn was a person I loved and admired very much, and I will truly miss her. I feel almost like I have lost a dear aunt and certainly a very special friend, and am so thankful that our paths crossed. I learned much of value from her, and treasure her memory greatly. May she rest now with her beloved Thomas in the loving Light and Presence of God.
Chesil
July 4, 2012
1 Peter 5:6,7 Humble ourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt YOU in due time. 7. While YOU throw YOUR anxiety upn him, because he cares for YOU.
I am sorry for your lost and hope that you will find comfort in praying to God for the strength to endure this trying time in your lives.
John Michaud
July 4, 2012
My wife, Sandi, and I met Miss Lear in Crested Butte, Co last summer, We felt blessed to have the opportunity to thank her for the many joys of hearing her perform. Our thoughts and prayers to all who cared so much for her.
Rob Stothart
July 4, 2012
Many years ago I sat in on a rehearsal of the Chamber Music Festival: Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals. Christopher O'Riley on piano accompanied Evelyn Lear's recitation of the text by Ogden Nash. Ms. Lear's magnificant articulation, as well as her warm and intelligent wit made for a musical hour or so that I will never forget.
Helen Axelson-Roddy
July 4, 2012
Miss Lear was my role model and vocal hero. The legacy she leaves will live on in all those women who study her work and all the detailed material she so lovingly produced. Thank you just isn't enough.
Ray Harrell
July 4, 2012
Both Stephanie and I wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of Evelyn Lear. She has been a light in American music all of our lives and her willingness, with her husband Thomas Stewart, to develop unique American careers, at a time when the arts have struggled, has given both pleasure and hope to every American Artist. They had magnificent operatic careers but I will never forget the duets and the beauty of a their musical life together.
Ray Evans Harrell and Stephanie Weems
July 4, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends, also many fans during this time. Romans 15:33
July 4, 2012
I wish to express my condolences to the family. I know that your loss is great. May you find comfort from the God of all comfort who helps us to cope with our grief. Also, may friends and family support you during this difficult time.
With deep sympathy,
Kathy Monroe, Jessup MD.
Lou Santacroce
July 4, 2012
Years ago, I hosted an program about opera for NPR. Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart were frequent and gracious guests. I heard some of the best -- and funniest -- stories about their careers from my producer, as they were often told by one while I was on the other side of the glass, interviewing the other. Thomas Stewart was the greatest Hans Sachs EVER, and Evelyn Lear DEFINED the role of Lulu for everyone who has ever sung the role. But their relationship with each other was the greatest thing about them. I had never seen a couple whose warmth and affection for each other was so obvious. Two great people, and two great voices are gone, and it will be a VERY long time before we see their like again.
Cheryl & Rick Hoffman
July 4, 2012
We will miss Evelyn and Tom. They were warm and caring people
July 4, 2012
With deepest sympathy to the family during your time of sorrow. Psalms 46:1 says: God is for us a refuge and strength during this difficult time and may God grant you the comfort to endure.
Gail Koppelman
July 4, 2012
You had a golden voice..RIP
Carol Hudak
July 3, 2012
A very elegant singer. God bless.
July 3, 2012
With deepest sympathy to the Lear family during your time of grief...Psalm 46:1...God is for us a refuge and strength, A help that is readily to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.
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