NYC Opera Tenor Jerry Hadley Attempted Suicide

As of last night Jerry Hadley, known as a top tenor at opera houses worldwide, was on life support after shooting himself. This morning it's being reported that he isn't expected to survive. Last year the 55-year old was arrested on Riverside Drive in Manhattan for driving while intoxicated, and even though the case was dropped - he had other problems to deal with. More recently, despite his success, Hadley had been filing for bankruptcy, was concerned about his career and was being treated for depression.

Tuesday morning at 7am he shot himself in the head with an air rifle just outside of Poughkeepsie, NY - and is currently brain damaged and on life support. After a woman who lived with him heard the shot she called the police, who found him on his bedroom floor.

Hadley had a successful career, which really began when he was discovered by the late Beverly Sills in 1978 at the National Opera Institute auditions, she was the general director of the New York City Opera at the time and offered him a contract on the spot. His accomplishments, on top of being a part of Emmy and Grammy award winning projects, include creating the title role in composer John Harbison's "Great Gatsby" at the Metropolitan Opera. He did the same as the lead in Paul McCartney's "Liverpool Oratorio," and Leonard Bernstein selected him to sing the main part the musical "Candide." Since he was on his way to making a comeback, many close to him are baffled by his actions on Tuesday.

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By Jen Carlson in News on July 12, 2007 9:53 AM

Comments [rss]

guest

How dare someone make such degrading comments about someone about whom they know nothing.

I am a friend and former colleague of Mr. Hadley's. He was a wonderful person and musician, yet certainly one fighting troubles not foreign to many of us.

And to the most crass of the posters, I also know and love his former wife and two children. Our thoughts and prayers go to them as well as to him in his precarious state.

A great talent and person lost.

guest

Interesting, poignant observation, bklynd. (I've never heard the guy sing.)

guest

Still no comment from Al Sharpton about this tragic loss.

guest

I feel sad for the gentleman. I'm just saying fyi, long guns are legal outside the city. Just don't even think of bringing them into the five boroughs.

and the air rifle, sounds like he got a nosey neighbor but that's what's going on out there nowadays. People think a soda can opening is an air rifle.

drtmuir

This is very sad. He was a fine singer and musician, and a nice man. He has a family. I can't believe some morons would jump on this for God knows what reason. School must really be out.

guest

My god, to what depths will people sink in making disgusting comments like commenters 2 and 3? Why even bother writing such insensitive, mocking, ignorant insults? Are you really so bitter? Did you have a personal beef with Hadley? Seriously, get a fucking life.

guest

does he know that, outside the city limits, one can legally own a long gun?

that must be the loudest air rifle made.

guest

Wait--with an air rifle?

guest

What a loser.

guest

Another confused homo.

bklynd

This is really very sad. The particular thing he was good at was a kind of a mournful, scooping howl. I don't think he was considered to be technically excellent, but in the right role (such as Tom Rakewell from The Rake's Progress) he could be very affecting. Life imitates art, I guess.