Theodore L. Gentry
Theodore Lavalle Gentry (November 22, 1939 - September 18, 2003) was a American-Canadian counter-tenor and music teacher.[1]
| Theodore L. Gentry | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 22, 1939 |
| Died | September 23, 2003 |
| Genres | Classical music, jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Performer, Teacher |
| Instruments | Counter-tenor |
Early life and educational career
Theodore L. "Ted" Gentry was born on November 22, 1939 in Indianapolis to Theodore Gentry Sr. and Dorothy M. Logan-Gentry. He graduated from Crispus Attucks High School, where he sang in the a cappella choir (directed by Norman Merrifield).[1] He was also active in the Mt. Zion Baptist Church choir in Indianapolis, Indiana.[2] He then attended Indiana University, Bloomington, before joining the U.S. Army (1963-1965).[1] Following his honorable discharge, he moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he received a Bachelor of Music in Performance (1992).[2] His fellow students included Liona Boyd, guitar and Mary Lou Fallis, soprano.[3]
Gentry stayed in Toronto for 35 years, working as a professional musician.[2]
Musical career
According to his obituary in The Indianapolis Star, Gentry's "intonation was exceptional and flawless, with delightful phrasing, [and he...] was praised by audiences and symphony conductors throughout the world."[1]
He performed with the Toronto Symphony, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Choir, Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, English Chamber Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra and Choir, Canadian Opera Company, Opera Atelier, Rochester Bach Festival, Skidmore College Music Festival, and the Holland Festival. R. Murray Schafer's RA and Hermes Trismegistos was written for him, and he performed the leading role in the premiere.[2][4]
Gentry toured Canada, Europe, and the United States, performing in English, German, and Italian. He was also a founding member of "Two Plus One" alongside Cristen Gregory, soprano and William O'Meara, piano, organ, and harpsichord.[2]
Gentry received a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Kentucky in 1992.[5]
Personal life
In 1996, Gentry suffered a stroke. A tribute and benefit concert was held at St. George the Martyr Anglican Church in Toronto on September 20, 1997.[2] He references his experience in a quote on the cover of A stroke of luck: life, crisis and rebirth of a survivor by Rocket Howard: "This story mirrors my own stroke in many ways. Reading it was inspirational and moving. I recommend this book as essential reading for family members of anyone who has had a stroke."[6]
Select recordings and performances
- Stabat Mater by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (Toronto : [St. Simon's Church], [1977?].
- St. Mark Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach with The Festival Singers of Toronto; Mary Morrison, soprano; Alex Ticknovich, tenor (broadcast by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 21, 1967).
- The Book of Yule, directed by John Reeves with Gordon Jones, narrator (broadcast on CBC Radio, December 27, 1966)
- Patria by R. Murray Schafer with The Schafer Ensemble and Judy Loman, harp; Wendy Humphreys, Tannis Sprott, sopranos; Beverley Johnsoton, Bill Brenan, Mark Duggan, percussion; Tilly Kooyman, clarinet; Stuart Laughton, trumpet (Burlington, Ont.: Opening Day Recordings, 1996)[7]
- Four folk-songs from Canada by Derek Holman with the Galliard Ensemble [1977][8]
- Thursday Afternoon Series: Faculty of Music Series, Concert Hall, Edward Johnson Building, University of Toronto (February 27, 1969)[9]
- Osric, A Danish noble in the North American premiere of Hamlet by Humphrey Searle, produced and directed by Anthony Besch, conducted by Victor Feldbrill, designed by John Stoddart (MacMillan Theatre, Edward Johnson Building, University of Toronto, February 12-16, 1969)[9]
- Hermes Trismegistos in Patria 4: The Black Theatre of Hermes Trismegistos by R. Murray Schafer (Festival de Liege production, 1989)[10]
- White Magician/ Vassiliki Diakioniaraki in The Greatest Show by R. Murray Schafer, Peterborough Festival of the Arts 1987-1988 (August 25-September 3, 1988)[11]
- The Messiah by George Frideric Handel with the National Arts Centre Orchestra; conducted by Elmer Iseler; Festival Singers of Canada; Jeanette Zaru, soprano; Anthony Rolfe-Johnson, tenor; and Ingemar Korjus, bass (broadcast December 22, 1977 on CBC Radio)
Further reading
Gentry, Theodore L. 1998. “Musical Symbols of Death in Tosca.” The Opera Quarterly 14 (4): 59–69. https://doi.org/10.1093/oq/14.4.59.
Gentry, Theodore L. 1993. “The Origins of Evangelical Pianism.” American Music (Champaign, Ill.) 11 (1): 90–111. https://doi.org/10.2307/3052448.
References
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| How to use archival material |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "The Indianapolis Star". September 23, 2003.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Theodore L. Gentry Papers, M 1216, Manuscript and Visual Collections Department, William Henry Smith Memorial Library, Indiana Historical Society.
- ↑ Boyd, Liona (1998). In my own key : my life in love and music. Internet Archive. Toronto : Stoddart. ISBN 978-0-7737-3121-9. Search this book on
- ↑ "RA | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ↑ Theodore L. Gentry, "Emblems of love and death in Italian realist opera: 1890-1914" (PhD diss., University of Kentucky, 1992).
- ↑ Rocket, Howard (1998). A stroke of luck : life, crisis, and rebirth of a stroke survivor. Internet Archive. Toronto : Parnassus Communications. ISBN 978-0-9696106-3-2. Search this book on
- ↑ R. Murray Schafe; Judy Loman (2000), Patria, Internet Archive, Opening Day Recordings, retrieved 2022-02-11
- ↑ Derek Holman fonds, OTUFM 49, University of Toronto Music Library.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Music Library Collection of Faculty Events, OTUFM 51, University of Toronto Music Library.
- ↑ Schafer, R. Murray (1991). Patria and the theatre of confluence. Internet Archive. Indian River, Ont. : Arcana Editions. ISBN 978-1-895127-09-6. Search this book on
- ↑ Canada on stage. Internet Archive. Toronto, Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, Communications Centre. 1974. Search this book on
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