The Centerville-born bass-baritone who broke barriers on the world's great opera stages.
Simon Estes was born in 1938 in Centerville, Iowa, the grandson of an enslaved man, and rose to become one of the world's leading operatic bass-baritones.
He broke racial barriers at major houses including Bayreuth and the Metropolitan Opera, performing across the globe, and later returned to Iowa to teach and mentor young singers.
Estes's talent and his barrier-breaking career made him a celebrated figure in classical music, and his return to Iowa to teach reflects his devotion to his home state.
He is one of Iowa's most distinguished artists.
The Centerville-born bass-baritone who broke barriers on the world's great opera stages.
Simon Estes was from Centerville, Iowa.
1938.
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