Jerry Hadley, tenor, dies

Operatic tenor Jerry Hadley, a former adjunct professor at UConn, died July 18. He was 55.

Hadley, who taught at UConn from 1978 to 1979, became an international opera star. He sang with many of the world’s leading opera companies, including the New York City Opera, where he made his professional debut in 1979, the Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera at Covent Garden in London, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Constance Rock, assistant professor of music, says Hadley was an “incredibly gifted and versatile singing actor.

He was one of America’s finest contributions to the operatic world. We were fortunate to have him teach at UConn.”

Recalling a performance by Hadley at UConn in 1999, Rock adds, “His ability to communicate with his audience through the music was perhaps his greatest gift, and it was a joy to see the effect his performance had on our students.”

Hadley received international recognition for his interpretation of the great Mozart operatic tenor roles and those of the French romantic and bel canto styles.

He also became known for his expertise with 20th-century and American operas. He was comfortable in the realms of Broadway musical theater, operetta, and popular song.

He collaborated with Leonard Bernstein on many projects, and was a Grammy-award winner.

Hadley is survived by two sons.