This was the last letter Jerome wrote for me before he died in 2003     

Thomas Silverboerg

Lyrischer Tenor
Bayerische Staatsoper
trsilverboerg@yahoo.de
May 1, 2006
 

To Whom It May Concern:

Please allow me to warmly recommend Mr. Joseph Shore as an outstanding candidate for your vacant vocal teaching position. I have known Mr. Shore personally for over 25 years, and have had the pleasure of performing with him on the operatic stage as a member of the young artist ensemble of the Connecticut Opera in Hartford Connecticut, as well as in Dallas, Texas with the Dallas Lyric Opera. Mr. Shore performed internationally for many years, singing the entire operatic literature for baritone with a large measure of success. His portrayals of 'Macbeth' in the opera of Verdi, 'Telramund' in Wagner's Lohengrin, and the title role in Rigoletto of Verdi, among numerous other characterizations, can be more than favorably compared with those of the finest artists of today and yesteryear.

In addition to his outstanding performance career and achievements, Mr. Shore has shown keen insight and persistent search of truth regarding vocal pedagogy and the basic sound principles of healthy, beautiful vocalism. Mr. Shore's text 'A Right to Sing' deserves, along with the works of my personal mentor, Professor Richard Miller of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, a prominent place on the bookshelf of any vocal studio.

During my many years of performing and teaching in Europe, in Salzburg, as well as presently, as a member of the permanent vocal ensemble of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, Germany, I have seldom had the opportunity to work with artists whose dedication to fine singing and artistry approach that of Mr. Shore. In my personal opinion, his would be a fine addition to any music faculty.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas Silverborg