Theodore L. Gentry

Theodore Lavalle Gentry (November 22, 1939 - September 18, 2003) was a American-Canadian countertenor and music teacher
== Early life and educational career ==
Theodore L. "Ted" Gentry was born on November 22, 1939 in Indianapolis to Theodore Gentry Sr. and Dorothy M. Logan-Gentry. He graduated from Crispus Attucks High School, where he sang in the a cappella choir (directed by Norman Merrifield). He then attended Indiana University, Bloomington, before joining the U.S. Army (1963-1965). Following his honorable discharge, he moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he received a Bachelor of Music in Performance (1992).His fellow students included Liona Boyd, guitar and Mary Lou Fallis, soprano.
Gentry stayed in Toronto for 35 years, working as a professional musician.
== Musical career ==
According to his obituary in The Indianapolis Star, Gentry's "intonation was exceptional and flawless, with delightful phrasing, was praised by audiences and symphony conductors throughout the world."
He performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Choir, Montreal Symphony Orchestra de Montreal, English Chamber Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra and Choir, Canadian Opera Company, Opera Atelier, Rochester Bach Festival, Skidmore College Music Festival, and the Holland Festival. R. Murray Schafer's RA and Hermes Trismegistos was written for him, and he performed the leading role in the premiere.</ref>
Gentry toured Canada, Europe, and the United States, performing in English, German, and Italian. He was also a founding member of "Two Plus One" alongside Cristen Gregory, soprano and William O'Meara, piano, organ, and harpsichord.
Gentry received a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Kentucky in 1992.Theodore L. Gentry, "Emblems of love and death in Italian realist opera: 1890-1914" (PhD diss., University of Kentucky, 1992).
== Personal life ==
In 1996, Gentry suffered a stroke. A tribute and benefit concert was held at St. George the Martyr Anglican Church in Toronto on September 20, 1997. He references his experience in a quote on the cover of A stroke of luck: life, crisis and rebirth of a survivor by Rocket Howard: "This story mirrors my own stroke in many ways. Reading it was inspirational and moving. I recommend this book as essential reading for family members of anyone who has had a stroke."
== Select recordings and performances ==
* Stabat Mater by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (Toronto : [St. Simon's Church], [1977?].
* St. Mark Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach with The Festival Singers of Toronto; Mary Morrison, soprano; Alex Ticknovich, tenor (broadcast by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 21, 1967).
* The Book of Yule, directed by John Reeves with Gordon Jones, narrator (broadcast on CBC Radio, December 27, 1966)
* Patria by R. Murray Schafer with The Schafer Ensemble and Judy Loman, harp; Wendy Humphreys, Tannis Sprott, sopranos; Beverley Johnsoton, Bill Brenan, Mark Duggan, percussion; Tilly Kooyman, clarinet; Stuart Laughton, trumpet (Burlington, Ont.: Opening Day Recordings, 1996)
* Four folk-songs from Canada by Derek Holman with the Galliard Ensemble [1977]Derek Holman fonds, OTUFM 49, University of Toronto Music Library.
* Thursday Afternoon Series: Faculty of Music Series, Concert Hall, Edward Johnson Building, University of Toronto (February 27, 1969)Music Library Collection of Faculty Events, OTUFM 51, University of Toronto Music Library.
* Osric, A Danish noble in the North American premiere of Hamlet by Humphrey Searle, produced and directed by Anthony Besch, conducted by Victor Feldbrill, designed by John Stoddart (MacMillan Theatre, Edward Johnson Building, University of Toronto, February 12-16, 1969)
* Hermes Trismegistos in Patria 4: The Black Theatre of Hermes Trismegistos by R. Murray Schafer (Festival de Liege production, 1989)
* White Magician/ Vassiliki Diakioniaraki in The Greatest Show by R. Murray Schafer, Peterborough Festival of the Arts 1987-1988 (August 25-September 3, 1988)
* The Messiah by George Frideric Handel with the National Arts Centre Orchestra; conducted by Elmer Iseler; Festival Singers of Canada; Jeanette Zaru, soprano; Anthony Rolfe Johnson|Anthony Rolfe-Johnson, tenor; and Ingemar Korjus, bass (broadcast December 22, 1977 on CBC Radio)
== Further reading ==
Gentry, Theodore L. 1998. “Musical Symbols of Death in Tosca.” The Opera Quarterly 14 (4): 59–69. https://doi.org/10.1093/oq/14.4.59.
Gentry, Theodore L. 1993. “The Origins of Evangelical Pianism.” American Music (Champaign, Ill.) 11 (1): 90–111. https://doi.org/10.2307/3052448.
Category:1939 births
Category:Music teacher
Category:Countertenors 
Category:American people
Category:2003 deaths