Richard Versalle

Richard Lee Versalle (3 December 1932 – 5 January 1996) was an American operatic tenor.

Life and career Richard Versalle was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on 3 December 1932. After serving in the submarine branch of the US Navy, he worked in business while studying singing. He was initially known as a concert and oratorio singer and did not make his operatic stage debut until the age of 45 when he sang Augustin Moser in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at Chicago Lyric Opera. His death was reported that same evening.

Versalle was married twice. His first marriage produced four children; Michael, Jeffrey, who preceded his father in death from AIDS in 1991, Jody, and Tim. He and his second wife, Alexis Darden, had a daughter, Tessa. His widow and his four remaining children survive him.

Recordings Mahler: Symphony No.8 – London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, Klaus Tennstedt (conductor). Label: EMI CD Wagner: Tannhäuser – Bayreuth Festival Orchestra and Chorus, Giuseppe Sinopoli (conductor). Label: Euroarts DVD Wagner: Tristan und Isolde – Teatro Real Madrid Orchestra and Chorus, Peter Schneider (conductor). Label: Fiori CD