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William Walker performed at the Met from 1962-1978. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) |
FORT WORTH — William Walker, a baritone whose career ranged from the State Fair of Texas to more than 350 performances at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, died Saturday. He was 78.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office said Mr. Walker died in Fort Worth.
The coroner did not provide a cause of death, but the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Mr. Walker had been diagnosed with cancer several years ago.
Darren K. Woods, the current general director of the Fort Worth Opera, said Mr. Walker “was a true Southern gentleman with a bigger-than-life personality and a rich, booming voice.’’
Metropolitan Opera records indicate Mr. Walker performed 364 times, from March 1962 to June 1978.
He appeared dozens of times on television’s “Tonight Show’’ starring Johnny Carson, and also sang at many venues on Broadway.
© Copyright 2010 Globe Newspaper Company.