Remembering Paul Plishka

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra family joins the music world in mourning the loss of American bass Paul Plishka, who died February 4, 2025. He was 83.

One of the most prolific artists of his generation, Plishka was a stalwart at the Metropolitan Opera and also appeared regularly with Lyric Opera of Chicago. When he retired (for the second time) in 2018, he had appeared with the Met in nearly 1,700 performances over the course of 51 years with the company.

Plishka appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on several occasions, and a complete list is below.

October 15, 16 and 17, 1970, Orchestra Hall
BEETHOVEN Mass in C Major, Op. 86
Teresa Zylis-Gara, soprano
Joanna Simon, mezzo-soprano
Luigi Alva, tenor
Paul Plishka, bass
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Margaret Hillis, director
Carlo Maria Giulini, conductor

April 3, 4 and 5, 1975, Orchestra Hall
SCHUBERT Mass No. 6 in E-flat Major, D. 950
Phyllis Curtin, soprano
Olivia Stapp, mezzo-soprano
Robert Johnson, tenor
John McCollum, tenor
Paul Plishka, bass
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Margaret Hillis, director
Carlo Maria Giulini, conductor

November 13, 14 and 15, 1975, Orchestra Hall
DVOŘÁK Stabat mater, Op. 58
Teresa Zylis-Gara, soprano
Maureen Forrester, contralto
Eric Tappy, tenor
Paul Plishka, bass
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Margaret Hillis, director
Rafael Kubelík, conductor

July 15, 1984, Ravinia Festival
BERLIOZ Romeo and Juliet, Op. 17
Claudine Carlson, mezzo-soprano
Philip Creech, tenor
Paul Plishka, bass
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Margaret Hillis, director
James Levine, conductor

June 21, 1991, Ravinia Festival
DONIZETTI The Elixir of Love
Giannetta Dawn Upshaw, soprano
Nemorino Luciano Pavarotti, tenor
Adina Kathleen Battle, soprano
Belcore Mark Oswald, baritone
Dulcamara Paul Plishka, bass
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Margaret Hillis, director
James Levine, conductor

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