Tucker, Richard (1913-1975), is generally considered the outstanding American operatic tenor of his day. He gained special recognition for his performances as passionate characters in Italian operas.
Tucker was born on Aug. 28, 1913, in the Brooklyn section of New York City. His given and family name was Reuben Ticker. A devout Orthodox Jew, Tucker also sang as a cantor (religious singer) in synagogues. He made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 1945 in Amilcare Ponchielli’s La Gioconda. Tucker made his first European appearance in the same opera in 1947 in Verona, Italy. Tucker starred at the Metropolitan Opera and also sang with other opera companies. In addition, he was a popular concert singer. He died on Jan. 8, 1975. Tucker’s brother-in-law was the famous American tenor Jan Peerce.
