For decades, he reigned in Hell as opera’s greatest Mefistofele. I’ll be damned if Samuel Ramey isn’t 80 years-old today. Give the devil his due.

Gaze with envy into my cabinet of curiosities as I share this one-of-a-kind collectible: a photo inscribed by Ramey to actor Christopher Lee. Lee, who possessed quite the resonant bass-baritone himself, harbored a latent desire to become a professional opera singer. As a young man, he was overheard singing in a tavern in Stockholm and praised by none other than Jussi Björling, who offered to undertake his training. But it was at a time in Lee’s life before he could afford to live in Sweden.

Of course, both men – Ramey and Lee – were renowned for playing heavies.

Here’s Ramey as Verdi’s “Attila.” Listen to that audience, at around 3:20 and again at 7:04. The adoration is such that he finally launches into an encore.

Of course, his signature role will always be Boito’s Mefistofele.

Act I, “Son lo spirito che nega” (“I am the spirt that denies”)

Act II, “Ecco il mondo”(“Behold the world”)

A concert performance of the Prologue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7l4msqaqos

Singing Cimarosa with Thomas Hampson

Ramey as Don Giovanni at the Met

And as “L” Toreador on “Sesame Street”

“L” is for my love for Samuel Ramey. Happy birthday to this four-score Mephisto!