Theodor Uppmann (January 12, 1920 – March 17, 2005) was an American operatic tenor. He is best known for his creation of the title role in Benjamin Britten's opera Billy Budd.

Uppmann was born in San Jose, California, and studied voice at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. He made his professional debut in 1941 with the Northern Californian Symphony Orchestra . His concert performance of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in 1947 sparked his career, and he soon reprised the role with the New York City Opera in 1948 and the Metropolitan Opera on November 27, 1953.

Although he quit singing in 1951 to work in the California oil industry, he was pursuaded to come back to opera to perform in the debut of Billy Budd a short time later at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

A supporter of new American operas, Uppmann also created the roles in Carlisle Floyd’s Passion of Jonathan Wade and Thomas Pasatieri ’s Black Widow .

Uppmann was known for his dramatic characterization as well as for his curly blonde locks and good looks.

In his later years he became a professor of voice, teaching at Mannes College of Music from 1977 until his death and at the Manhattan School of Music from 1988 until his death.

Uppmann married Jean Seward in 1943. The couple had two children.

External links

• Biography from the Manhattan School of Music
• Obituary from The Daily Telegraph
• Obituary from The Times of London