Opera Director, Singer, Teacher, Richard Crittenden, Passes Away at Age 83

LEONIA, N.J. - EntSun -- Richard Crittenden
San Diego, CA, July 23, 1938 – Teaneck, NJ, November 19, 2021

Renowned opera director, singer and teacher, Richard Crittenden, passed away on November 19, 2021 at the age of 83. Richard attended Occidental College where he gained his love of music, singing in a quartet and chorus. He served in the U.S. Army Chorus in the early 1960s and studied voice with the late Todd Duncan.

Richard performed professionally as a baritone and established the Crittenden Opera Studio, holding opera workshops in NYC, Washington DC and Boston for over 50 years. He worked with Frank Corsaro, Adelaide Bishop, Henry Butler and Lotfi Mansouri and he directed at the New York City Opera Theatre, Washington Civic Opera, Utah Opera Theatre, Western New York Opera, among others. He worked alongside Boris Goldovsky on opera tours and workshops and later joined him at the Curtis Institute of Music, where Richard taught for 10 years, eventually directing the Opera Master's Degree Program. He also taught at Yale University School of Music, Mannes College of Music and NYU.

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He was the principal director of the Liederkranz Opera Showcase and was a Judge for their Vocal Competition in New York City for twelve years in association with Thomas Martin. He presented sessions on stage directing at several National Opera Association conventions and gave Master Classes throughout the country.

He has been lauded for his passion, craft and the influence he's had on so many operatic careers.

He is survived by his wife Mary, children David and Carol, daughter-in-law Laurie, son-in-law Jared, and grandchildren Jeffrey, Bethany and Evan.