Kipnis, Alexander (1891-1978)

bass Russian naturalized American

Born in a ghetto in the Russian Empire, now in Ukraine, Alexander Kipnis began his "career" in synagogues and in a small Yiddish theater troupe.

The First World War caught him in Berlin, where he studied singing. Interned as a citizen of an enemy state, he owed his freedom to his exceptional voice: he was hired by the Hamburg Opera, where he remained until the end of the war.

From 1922 onwards, he performed for nine seasons at the Chicago Opera, where he established himself particularly in the great roles of Wagner, Mozart and Strauss. He built up an impressive repertoire, from singing bass to deep bass and even baritone.

Returning to Europe in 1931, Kipnis also distinguished himself in an oratorio and lieder repertoire. Although Hitler's seizure of power forced him to resign from his position at the Berlin State Opera in 1935, and from his position at the Vienna Opera in 1938, he could not be interned because of his American citizenship obtained in Chicago.

He made his debut at the Met in 1940, where he is now making a name for himself in Slavic Repertoire.

After retiring from the stage in 1946, he taught at the New York College of Music and the Juilliard School.

Alexander Kipnis died on May 14 1978 in Westport.

Discover the artist's world through various documents: each image opens the door to one of his interpretations, his portraits in civilian clothes, his autographs or press articles about him from the period