Mr. Russell Lewis Christopher

Russell Lewis Christopher, 84, died on November 9th at Carolinas Medical Center–Pineville. Born on March 12, 1930 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Russ was the son of Russell S. Christopher and Violet Jurewicz. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ed. Russ attended Grand Rapids Junior College and received a bachelor’s degree and Master of Music Performance: Voice from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He was a soloist with the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club and a lifelong Wolverines supporter. Russ was a principal baritone with the Metropolitan Opera where he sang 1,410 performances in a career covering twenty-eight MET seasons (1963-1991). Since the MET’s initial performance in October 1883, only fourteen singers, conductors or dancers have performed more often in the company’s history. He was a comprimario or supporting singer, although he sang lead roles as well. Russ appeared in many ‘Live from the MET’ telecasts on PBS and was heard frequently on the Saturday MET radio broadcasts. He was in the cast of Antony and Cleopatra (Barber) which opened the MET’s new opera house at Lincoln Center in September 1966. In addition to his work at the MET, Russ sang with the San Francisco Opera and with numerous regional companies. He also was baritone soloist in concerts with the Chicago Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Montreal Symphony and the New York Philharmonic. In a lighter vein, he enjoyed singing the music of Rogers and Hammerstein and operetta in concert. Among his favorite operatic roles were Valentine in Faust (Gounod), Ford in Falstaff (Verdi), Sharpless in Madama Butterfly (Puccini), Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti), and Georgio Germont in La Traviata (Verdi). Russ lived in New York City until 2007 when he became a resident of the Carriage Club in Charlotte. He is survived by his son Russell F. Christopher and wife Julie, his cherished companion Regina Woods, his former wife Gail Christopher Petit, all from Charlotte, and his nephew Scott Christopher of Sparta, Michigan and niece Carolyn Dault of Cedar Springs, Michigan. Per his wishes, cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held this Thursday, November 20th, 1 p.m. at Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Rd. NW, reception following. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery

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Mr. Russell Lewis Christopher

March 12, 1930 - November 9, 2014