Frank Little (né Francis Easterly Little, on March 22, 1936; died on February 22, 2006) was an operatic lyric tenor and educator. Born in Greeneville, Tennessee, in the Smoky Mountains, he matriculated at East Tennessee State University, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and Northwestern University. Little's official debut was as Normanno in ''Lucia di Lammermoor'', in 1970, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, his first of many appearances with that theatre, including the world premiere of Penderecki's ''Paradise Lost'' (as Michael), in 1978, which was seen at the

Teatro alla Scala La Scala (, , ; abbreviation in Italian of the official name ) is a famous opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the ' (New Royal-Ducal Theatre alla Scala). The premiere performan ...

the following year. He also gave a private, command performance for Pope John Paul II. With the Metropolitan Opera, the tenor debuted as Narraboth in ''Salome'', opposite

Maralin Niska Maralin Niska (November 16, 1926 – July 9, 2016) was an American operatic soprano. Well known as a singing-actress, she was a mainstay of the New York City Opera during the 1960s and 1970s. She was also a regular performer at the Metropolitan Op ...

, conducted by Erich Leinsdorf, in 1977. He then portrayed Jonas in John Dexter's new production of ''Le prophète'', with Marilyn Horne, Renata Scotto (later Rita Shane), and

James McCracken James McCracken (December 16, 1926 – April 29, 1988) was an American operatic tenor. At the time of his death ''The New York Times'' stated that McCracken was "the most successful dramatic tenor yet produced by the United States and a pill ...

, also in 1977. From 1978 to 1980, Little sang Cassio in ''Otello'', opposite Jon Vickers (later Richard Cassilly),

Katia Ricciarelli Catiuscia Maria Stella Ricciarelli (born 16 January 1946), known as Katia Ricciarelli (), is an Italian soprano and actress. Biography Born in Rovigo, Veneto, to a very poor family, she struggled during her younger years when she studied music. ...

, and

Cornell MacNeil Cornell MacNeil (September 24, 1922 – July 15, 2011) was an American operatic baritone known for his exceptional voice and long career with the Metropolitan Opera, which spanned 642 performances in twenty-six roles. F. Paul Driscoll wrote in ''O ...

, conducted by James Levine. He also recorded Cassio for RCA, in 1978, with Plácido Domingo, Scotto, and

Sherrill Milnes Sherrill Milnes (born January 10, 1935) is an American dramatic baritone most famous for his Verdi roles. From 1965 until 1997 he was associated with the Metropolitan Opera. His voice is a high dramatic baritone, combining good legato with an inc ...

, under Levine. In 1980 and 1981, Little was heard as The Painter/The African Prince in the Met's premiere of the completed version of ''Lulu'', with Teresa Stratas (later Julia Migenes), conducted by Levine, in Dexter's production, which was televised. Elsewhere, the tenor was heard with the companies in Vancouver, Florence, Canary Islands, Milwaukee, New Orleans (Ægisth in ''Elektra'', 1982), Philadelphia, San Antonio, Washington DC, etc. A champion of contemporary opera, other roles in his repertoire were the Tambourmajor (in ''Wozzeck''), and Tom Rakewell (in ''The Rake's Progress''). In 1982, Little left the stage and embarked on a career in arts administration and as an educator. He held positions with DePaul University,

Furman University Furman University is a private liberal arts university in Greenville, South Carolina. Founded in 1826 and named for the clergyman Richard Furman, Furman University is the oldest private institution of higher learning in South Carolina. It became ...

, and Music Center of the North Shore (later renamed the Music Institute of Chicago from where he retired in 2003. While he was at the music institute, he helped develop the

Institute for Therapy through the Arts The Institute for Therapy through the Art is a non-profit creative arts therapy organization in Evanston, Illinois, in the United States. It was founded in 1975 by Marilyn Richman, a drama therapist and co-founder of the North American Drama Thera ...

. At the age of sixty-nine, Frank Little died of complications from cardiac arrest in Skokie, Illinois, leaving behind a wife and four children.

Videography

* Berg: ''Lulu'' (Migenes, Lear, Riegel, Mazura; Levine, Dexter, 1980) iveMetropolitan Opera

References

Bibliography

* ''Who's Who in Opera'', edited by Maria F. Rich, Arno Press, 1976. * "Frank Little 1936-2006," by Dave Wischnowsky, ''Chicago Tribune'', February 27, 2006. * "Tenor Frank Little Dies at 69," by Vivien Schweitzer, ''Playbill'', March 6, 2006.

Videography

References

Bibliography

Further reading