Herbert Breslin
Encyclopedia
Herbert Breslin is a music industry executive. He has been influential in the careers of several musicians since the 1960s, the foremost of these being the tenor
Luciano Pavarotti
, with whom he started his career.
and met Pavarotti when both men were only beginning their careers. Their collaboration resulted in both of them eventually becoming powerful and well known.
Breslin's firm has also represented Plácido Domingo
, and in fact at one time he worked for both Pavarotti and Domingo at the same time. When Breslin decided to become an artist's manager
, he had to make a choice between the two and chose Pavarotti. At various times, the firm also represented Alicia de Larrocha
and many others.
In 2002 Pavarotti split with his manager of 36 years. The breakup was followed with the publication of a book by Breslin, along with Anne Midgette
, entitled The King & I (Doubleday, 2004), which was seen by many as sensational and overly critical. The book criticizes Pavarotti's acting (in opera
), his ability to read music and learn parts, and his personal conduct. Despite the differences leading to the split, however, Breslin does acknowledge Pavarotti's outstanding voice, magnificent career, and positive influence on his own career.
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti
right|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
, with whom he started his career.
Work
Breslin began as a publicistPublicist
A publicist is a person whose job is to generate and manage publicity for a public figure, especially a celebrity, a business, or for a work such as a book, film or album...
and met Pavarotti when both men were only beginning their careers. Their collaboration resulted in both of them eventually becoming powerful and well known.
Breslin's firm has also represented Plácido Domingo
Plácido Domingo
Plácido Domingo KBE , born José Plácido Domingo Embil, is a Spanish tenor and conductor known for his versatile and strong voice, possessing a ringing and dramatic tone throughout its range...
, and in fact at one time he worked for both Pavarotti and Domingo at the same time. When Breslin decided to become an artist's manager
Talent manager
A talent manager, also known as an artist manager or band manager, is an individual or company who guides the professional career of artists in the entertainment industry...
, he had to make a choice between the two and chose Pavarotti. At various times, the firm also represented Alicia de Larrocha
Alicia de Larrocha
Alicia de Larrocha y de la Calle was a Spanish pianist from Catalonia. One of the great piano legends of the 20th century, Reuters called her "the greatest Spanish pianist in history", Time "one of the world's most outstanding pianists" and The Guardian "the leading Spanish pianist of her...
and many others.
In 2002 Pavarotti split with his manager of 36 years. The breakup was followed with the publication of a book by Breslin, along with Anne Midgette
Anne Midgette
Anne Midgette is an American journalist and classical music critic. Her father was the painter Willard Midgette.Midgette is a 1986 graduate of Yale University. After university, she lived for 11 years in Munich, Germany, reviewing opera, music and art throughout Europe for The Wall Street...
, entitled The King & I (Doubleday, 2004), which was seen by many as sensational and overly critical. The book criticizes Pavarotti's acting (in opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
), his ability to read music and learn parts, and his personal conduct. Despite the differences leading to the split, however, Breslin does acknowledge Pavarotti's outstanding voice, magnificent career, and positive influence on his own career.