Paul Plishka, an illustrious bass of the Metropolitan Opera, passed away at the age of 83. Known for his captivating performances and a career spanning 51 years, Plishka graced the esteemed Met stage for an impressive 1,672 performances. His passing at a hospice in Wilmington, North Carolina, was confirmed by his wife, Sharon Thomas, on Wednesday.
Plishka's remarkable tenure at the Met began with an unforgettable debut as the Monk in Ponchielli’s La Gioconda on September 21, 1967. Sharing the stage with legends like Renata Tebaldi and Sherrill Milnes, he captivated audiences from his very first performance. Recalling this pivotal moment years later, Plishka humorously described his nervousness as being akin to 'a fire hydrant.'
Throughout his tenure, he embraced 88 different roles, ranking him ninth in the Met’s history for performance totals. Often cast in comprimario roles, or supporting parts, Plishka brought depth to every character he inhabited. Highlights of his career include all three bass roles in Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov, Philip II in Verdi’s Don Carlo, and the title role in Falstaff to mark his 25th anniversary with the company. Among these, Plishka considered Falstaff his crowning achievement due to the character’s rich personality and compelling music.
Born on August 28, 1941, in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, Plishka’s journey into opera began in Paterson, New Jersey, after his family moved when he was 16. He discovered his passion for the stage during a high school performance of Oklahoma! Encouraged by a teacher, he pursued music at Montclair State College, marking the genesis of a stellar operatic career.
Before making his debut at the Met, Plishka honed his skills with the Met's national touring company. Notably, during the 1971 performances of Tosca, he played the role of Sacristan as conductor James Levine made his Met debut, illustrating Plishka's growing recognition. Despite early skepticism from some of his peers, Plishka steadily matured into each role, becoming acclaimed by colleagues as the quintessential Sacristan.
While the Met was his primary stage, his talents were also celebrated at venues like Milan's Teatro alla Scala, London’s Royal Opera, and the New York City Opera. His role as the Grand Inquisitor in Don Carlo at the 1988 Salzburg Festival marked another international success. Though he initially announced his retirement in 2012, Plishka returned for 30 more performances in La Bohème, embodying Benoit and Alcindoro until 2018.
Plishka's personal life was not without challenges. His first wife, Judith Colgan, passed away in 2004, and they had three sons, all of whom predeceased him. Plishka later found companionship with Sharon Thomas, a Met staff stage director, marrying her in 2005. In his retirement, he pursued bird photography, capturing nature with the same artistry he brought to the stage.
Paul Plishka's legacy endures through the generations he inspired and the roles he immortalized. His extraordinary contributions to opera will resonate with audiences and colleagues alike, a testament to his enduring influence in the world of classical music.
