12 Facts About Mack Harrell

Mack Harrell studied violin from the age of ten and continued for twelve years.

Mack Harrell met his wife, violinist Marjorie Fulton, while they were both students at the Curtis Institute.

Mack Harrell believed that his experience of musical studies as a violinist first made him a better singer than he might have been otherwise.

Mack Harrell made his concert debut at New York City's Town Hall singing a recital of opera and lieder in 1938.

Mack Harrell made his professional opera debut at the Met on December 16,1939, as Biterolf in Richard Wagner's Tannhauser.

Mack Harrell notably created the role of Samson in the world premiere of Bernard Rogers's The Warrior opposite Regina Resnik as Delilah at the Met on January 11,1947.

Mack Harrell portrayed Nick Shadow in The Rake's Progress for the work's US premiere at the Met in February 1953.

Mack Harrell performed roles with a number of other opera companies as well.

In September 1945 Mack Harrell made his debut with the San Francisco Opera portraying Escamillo in Carmen.

From 1945 to 1956 Mack Harrell taught voice at The Juilliard School and from 1957 to 1960 he taught at Southern Methodist University, after moving to Dallas.

In 1954 he succeeded Walter Paepcke as the second director of the Aspen Music Festival and School, a position he held until his death in 1960; Mack Harrell had been one of the founders of Aspen.

Mack Harrell's pupils included singers William Blankenship, Michael Trimble, and Barry McDaniel.