Jan Peerce

Jan Peerce (June 3, 1904 – December 15, 1984) was an American tenor.

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He was born Jacob Pincus Perelmuth in New York City. He attended De Witt Clinton School and Columbia University. He first studied the violin and played in public to earn extra money. His first singing engagement was at Radio City Music Hall in 1932. Through these broadcasts, he became know all over the country and was soon in demand for concert performances.

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In May 1938, he made his operatic debut as the Duke in Verdi's Rigoletto in Philadelphia. His first solo recital followed the next year. He caught the attention of conductor Arturo Toscanini and made a memorable series of recordings with him. His Metropolitan Opera debut was as Alfredo in Verdi's La Traviata in 1941. He remained on the staff at the Met until 1966 and made occasional appearances thereafter until his retirement in 1982.

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Peerce was also at home on the concert stage and in solo recital and recorded such works as Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

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In 1956, he was the first American singer to perform at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow as a cultural ambassador.

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In 1971 he made his Broadway debut as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof.

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His sister married fellow-tenor Richard Tucker. He died in New York City.

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June 3: June 3 is the 154th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (155th in leap years), with 211 days remaining....

1904: 1904 is a leap year starting on a Friday (link will take you to calendar)....

December 15: December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 16 days remaining....

Jan Peerce related Images and Photos (experimental)

Jan Sterling	Jan-Michael Vincent	"Skiing Woman " Jan/Feb 84	1984 Jan Sterling Edmond O'Brien 1956
Jan Van Riebeeck Lands in Table Bay Where He Founds Cape Town	The Martyrdom of Jan Hus	The Brady Bunch 'Real Jan Brady' T-Shirt - Yellow	The Brady Bunch 'Real Jan Brady' T-Shirt - Yellow
Boris Mark and Jan Hambourg Russian-Born Musicians	The Landing of Jan Van Riebeeck (1619-77) 6th April 1652 1850	Portrait of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck 1624	Portrait of Jan Both Engraved by Johannes Meyssens