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Cecile Cooper newspaper clippings, 1966-1987

1968-04-18 ""Simon Estes On Way Up"" 1966-08-25 ""Plan Public Receptiom Tonight For Simon Estes at Willkie""

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Simon Estes On Way Up Billings Gazette - April 18, 1968 By George Pinkerton Editorial Page Editor Billings concertgoers heard a young bass-baritone Wednesday night who is on the way up. Simon Estes, who comes from the coal mining area of south-central Iowa -- Centerville -- and who has been singing a relatively short time, was the soloist for the final Community Concert Association program of the year. Estes takes on this recital tour impressive credentials, considering that he has been studying music seriously now only since 1963: prizes in Tchaikovsky Vocal Competition and Munich International competition; opera commitments with Deutsche Oper in Berlin, Lubeck Opera, and this year in Gunther Schuller's "The Visitation." The crowd Wednesday night was on the thin side in number but nonetheless very attentive to the soloist as he went through Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and finally, Negro spirituals. The most exciting number -- and the one in which Estes projected his warm, steady voice the best -- was the aria from "Don Carlo." Estes displayed a pleasant, rich tone on his low notes. His voice is not big, his articulation not as clean as it might be. Right now, interpretation is his strongest point. But the crowd did not expect a Warfield or London, which at this point in his career Estes is not. Rather, he was accepted by the audience with warmth, appreciating the fact that in coming years, he will be one of the outstanding bass-baritones in opera. Plan Public Reception Tonight For Simon Estes at Willkie Aug 25-66 Once again bassoist Simon Estes, one of Des Moines most famous and recently celebrated 'sons', will return to the city where he and another American celebrity will be honored at a public reception tonight (Thurs.) from 7 to 9 p.m. at Willkie House, 900 17th street. Estes, who took third place in the Peter Tschaikovsky vocal competition in Russia this summer and Miss Veronica Tyler of Pittsburgh, Pa., who took second place in the same competition will be official honored by the residents of Des Moines which Estes calls home. The two just returned from a performance at the Hollywood Bowl in California and will leave Saturday for an engagement at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. Estes, who was born in Centerville, Ia., received his initial formal musical education at the Julliard School of Music in New York. He is the son of Mrs. Ruth Estes of 2205 Woodland ave. [[photo caption]]ESTES[[end caption]]
 
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