I am a huge Jerry Hadley fan. I followed his career from the 1980s to
his untimely death last year and own most of his recordings (including
the duets with Thomas Hampson and Golden Days recording cited in this
discussion thread). While I didn't know Jerry personally, I do know
several of his close friends and colleagues. We have had many
conversations about Jerry's life and work since his tragic death last
year. I must respectfully disagree with Derek on a couple of points
in his fine post. e.g.
"According
> to friends, he had also been trying to find teaching/mentoring work in
> the music department of a university; incredibly (and tragically), no
> institution would even consider him. And yet he had still so much to
> offer."
Actually, there were a number of offers of faculty positions from
academic institutions. Certainly, the University of Illinois-UC would
never have turned its back on Hadley. No way. He was a much loved and
respected alum/colleague/friend who had recently (2005) returned to
mentor and participate in a production of Candide (not in the title
role). Jerry turned all the offers down (or at least took a rain
check) because he wanted to continue concentrating on his performing
career. He was also in demand for master classes.
Hadley's decision to eschew teaching and to continue to try to revive
his career was controversial among his friends and fans. Certainly his
voice was not the same voice we heard in the 80s and early 90s. There
had been changes in teachers and technique (I never heard about the
TMJ-please send me a link to the article), continued problems with
allergies and the aging. The divorce and the subsequent alienation
from his children were huge influences on his voice and his emotional
state. It was still a very beautiful and expressive voice.
Anyway, by 2007, he had new management and was starting to attempt the
bigger roles to mixed reviews (as Derek points out).. On an
overwhelmingly positive note, at the time of this death, he was
planning to record the complex and beautifully orchestrated songs of
Eric Korngold in collaboration with phenomenal pianist/conductor Alex
Frey. Frey is a Korngold expert and a virtuosic and an exquisitely
sensitive and intelligent pianist. If Hadley's recording of "Du bist
mein Traum" on "The World is Beautiful" and Frey's recordings of the
Korngold piano music are any indication, these recordings would have
been absolutely stunning.
I disagree with Derek's opinion (and he is certainly entitled to his;
that's why these forums are so interesting) that Hadley was not one of
the great tenors. If greatness is determined by size of voice, then
Hadley was not great; his voice was certainly not comparable to a
Lanza's spinto. Hadley's was basically a Mozart, Gounod, Donizetti
lyric tenor. However, if greatness is judged by beauty of the
instrument -balance, color, resonance (whatever the size), by
intelligent singing (understanding of style, interpretation of text,
diction, attention to musical detail and composer intent), and
versatility, then Hadley was certainly one of the best. His voice was
not only stunning as an operatic instrument, it was beautifully suited
to musical theater and song literature. And, it was, at its best, a
very beautiful instrument (Korngold, Una furtiva lagrima, Candide, Au
font du temple saint, etc., etc) He was an incredibly intelligent
singer, with impeccable diction (in every language) and sense of
style, who took risks (crossover to musical theater) and sought out
lesser known works (City of Mahogany, Rake's Progress, Korngold). I
think he was one of the greats.
Derek is correct in saying that Jerry likable. His joke and story
telling ability are legend. He was also highly intelligent and an
expert on the Alamo and other historical topics.
Regarding Jerry's suicide, certainly only those closest to him know
exactly what happened. The role of the DUI may have been overplayed.
While humiliating, it brought him back into the public eye after the
hiatus that occurred after his very bitter divorce from Cheryll Drake
Hadley. Certainly, at the time of his death he was battling
depression, had serious financial woes and family problems. However,
he also had many devoted friends, like Alex Frey, the Dahlheims, Lea
Frey, the Hedlunds, the Diazmunoz Family, Brian Cheney and Frank
Thompson. He had a wonderful fiancée, Anne McMillan and a great sister
and extended family. Then there were the legions of fans. I guess
those things weren't enough. If only he could have seen his value
through our eyes.