About
Paul Plishka was an American operatic bass known for his long and distinguished career, particularly at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Paul Plishka was an American operatic bass known for his long and distinguished career, particularly at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.Paul Plishka was an American operatic bass known for his long and distinguished career, particularly at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.Plishka made his debut at the New York City Opera in 1967 and his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1967 as a Monk in Don Carlo. Over the next four decades, he became one of the Met’s most reliable and versatile basses, performing over 1,600 times with the company. His repertoire included leading roles in Don Giovanni, La Bohème, Faust, Boris Godunov, Aida, and Simon Boccanegra. Beyond the Met, Plishka appeared at prestigious opera houses worldwide, including La Scala, Vienna State Opera, and San Francisco Opera. He was particularly admired for his portrayals of Verdi and Russian roles, such as Boris Godunov and Prince Gremin in Eugene Onegin.Plishka retired from the Met in 2012 after an illustrious career spanning 45 years. However, he continued to perform occasionally, maintaining his passion for opera. He was celebrated for his powerful voice, strong stage presence, and remarkable consistency over decades of performances. Paul Plishka passed away on February 3, 2024, leaving behind a legacy as one of America’s greatest operatic basses.