Charles Riecker Memorial Fund

This scholarship was created in memory of an artistic icon. Part of the Metropolitan Opera for almost 40 years, Charles Riecker enjoyed a career encompassing service as artistic administrator, tour director and artistic liaison before his retirement in 1997. A gifted linguist, pianist and voice teacher, Riecker had a busy and productive post-Met career. He held teaching posts at Manhattan School of Music, University of Maryland, University of Memphis and Opera Institute of California, as well as, serving as a frequent lecturer and leader of master classes. Riecker felt it was his duty to pass the knowledge he learned on to the next generation.
Riecker first came to the University of Memphis campus as the Hohenberg-Scheidt Distinguished Visiting Artist. Feeling the great loss of this remarkable man upon his passing, many students and faculty held an opera concert honoring the world-renowned performer. The University of Memphis is honored to have a scholarship in his memory.