William Berger Introduces Our Opera and Film Guests -- Justino Díaz
Justino Díaz
Despite being a flat-out incontrovertible American and international legend, Puerto Rican bass-baritone Justino Díaz is more present in the moment of today than many people I talk to who are a fraction of his age. He made his Met debut at the old house (39th and Broadway) in 1963 as Monterone in Rigoletto, and famously led the all-American cast as Antony in Antony and Cleopatra for the gala opening of the new Metropolitan Opera House in 1966. His astounding career led him not only to the world’s major opera houses but also many appearances on television and at least two remarkable turns in opera in film: as Escamillo in the Herbert von Karajan-led Carmen of 1969, and as the creepiest Iago ever (that’s a compliment) in Franco Zeffirelli’s Otello (1987).
Click the "Back Button" on your browser or