Lester “Roy” Lazarus, 76, of Newcastle, died of cardiac arrest on April 13 in Maine, where he had made his home since 1986.
A brilliant performer, his career spanned some 60 years and covered all aspects of the operatic and musical theater genres. Heard on national radio at age 15 as “The Boy Basso from Brooklyn,” he went on to be educated at Syracuse University. Returning to the stage in New York City, N.Y., he was engaged as Al, one of the four cowboys in the original Broadway production of Frank Loesser’s musical, “The Most Happy Fella.” He also appeared on Broadway in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and often worked with Don Adams and Carol Burnett at Green Mansions in the Adirondacks.
In his late 20’s, he focused on opera and sang for several years with the New York City Opera. In the mid 1960’s, he taught at the Juilliard School. Ultimately, he became professor of opera at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio where he founded and directed the Oberlin Music Theater. This important summer festival helped train a
generation of young artists. The roster of opera houses around the country is testimony to the success of his program. Mr. Lazarus directed opera companies across the United States. In recent years, he taught voice in Maine and continued to coach various established artists.
Roy Lazarus is survived by his sons, Steven and grandson Joseph of Peoria, Ariz., and David and grandsons Matthew and Paul of Castle Rock, Col.; and his sister, Bernice of Boca Raton, Fla.
