Bispham, David Scull

Bispham, David Scull (bis'pum) [key], 1857–1921, American baritone, b. Philadelphia. He made his operatic debut in London in 1891 and was leading Wagnerian baritone of the Metropolitan Opera Company, New York City, from 1896 to 1903. He advocated English translation of foreign operas and supported native opera in English. In 1921 the Opera Society of America established the Bispham Memorial Medal Award for American composers of such operas.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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