(July 21, 1873 – May 10, 1935)
Herbert Witherspoon was born on July 21, 1873, in Buffalo, New York. He had a remarkable journey in the world of music that encompassed teaching, writing, performance, and opera management.
Witherspoon’s musical education began at Yale University, where he was a member of the Yale Glee Club. After completing his formal education in 1895, he further honed his musical skills by studying under notable mentors such as Horatio Parker, Edward MacDowell, Gustav Stoeckel, Walter Henry Hall, and Max Treumann. After which time, he ventured to Europe, where he received training in Paris from luminaries like Jean-Baptiste Faure and Jacques Bouhy. He continued his studies in Milan with Francesco Lamperti, and also explored the musical landscapes of London and Berlin.
In 1898, Witherspoon made his singing debut with a small company in New York, marking the beginning of his career as a vocalist. His rich bass voice and commanding stage presence quickly garnered him a reputation, leading to numerous appearances in concerts and oratorios. You can hear him singing a beautiful rendition of “The Trumpet Shall Sound” HERE. On November 26, 1908, he made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera in the role of Titurel in Richard Wagner’s “Parsifal.” He remained with the company until his retirement from singing in 1914. During his performing prime, Witherspoon also made a series of recordings for the Victor Talking Machine Company between 1907 and 1917.
After Witherspoon’s retirement from singing, he immersed himself in the good work of sharing his musical knowledge with the world. In 1922, he and 14 other singing teachers founded the American Academy of Teachers of Singing, where he served as its first president. For Witherspoon, 1925 was a busy year. He wrote his first book, titled Singing: A Treatise for Teachers and Singers and he assumed the role of President at the Chicago Musical College. In 1930 he was appointed as the Artistic Director of the Chicago Civic Opera, and published his second book, Thirty Six Lessons in Singing for Teacher and Student. He also became the President of the Cincinnati Conservatory in 1931. His work in these leadership positions caught the attention of the opera world, leading to his selection as the successor to Giulio Gatti-Casazza as the General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera in 1935.
Regrettably, Herbert Witherspoon’s tenure as the General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera was short-lived. Less than two weeks into his term, on May 10, 1935 at the Metropolitan Opera House, he suffered a fatal heart attack. At the time, he was in a meeting with Met assistant manager Edward Ziegler, who was reporting the success of their most recent opera. His final words were, “That’s grand.”
In his will, Witherspoon demonstrated his commitment to music and the arts. He allocated funds for the Library of Congress to acquire music scripts, to be donated in the name of his second wife, Florence Hinkle.
Herbert Witherspoon’s impact on the world of opera and his contributions to music education endured long after his passing. He was succeeded as General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera by tenor Edward Johnson, and his teaching left a lasting influence on his students, including Met soprano Mabel Garrison. Witherspoon’s life and career stand as a testament to his dedication and commitment to nurturing the talents of future generations in the world of music.
“Let us take up our task as we find it, ready with a strong love of our art to try simply and honestly to ‘clear the way’ a little for those who are to follow.” – Singing: A Treatise for Teachers and Students (Witherspoon, 1925)
“Our task is with to-day, not yesterday. Our mission is to improve, not to reform. We put ourselves in question if we assume a position as much needed saviors of the art of singing.” – Singing: A Treatise for Teachers and Students (Witherspoon, 1925)
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Witherspoon
https://www.americanacademyofteachersofsinging.org/about/
https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,754812,00.html
Peterson Voice Studio, “A Change of Heart When Reviewing Singers”
Herbert Witherspoon – The Messiah : The Trumpet Shall Sound (Handel)