PAUL PLISHKA

I was a friend to Paul Jr. and the family back in the 80´s and early 90´s and lost touch, but was following Paul Sr´s career regardless, he visited with me in Col Oh in the 80´s and let me attend his performance and post performance with the company. He was a treat to be around and I hope his memory lives on with those who loved him.

I met Paul Plishka in Moscow when he sang there in April, 1988. I still have the program as well as his "Songs of Ukraine" album with his signature.

Plishka had a warm & enveloping timbre with an upper extension to high G. A bass I once worked with remembered sitting in a rehearsal at San Francisco Opera with two other bass colleagues when Plishka as Zaccaria interpolated this high note at the end of the first aria´s cabaletta which blew these three right out of their seats. Ramey often sang this same high G in this particular piece as well. Plishka`s instrument was not really cavernous but was solid in all the roles he took on, as far as...

Ave atque Vale to a fine artist who seemed to inhabit his various roles as a true actor would, while singing the parts with such a glorious voice. My favourtie was Philip II.