Timeline
1970
European debut at the Vienna State Opera in title role of Verdi’s Macbeth (under Karl Böhm, with Christa Ludwig, Karl Ridderbusch)
1969
Sherrill’s beloved mother, Thelma, succumbs to cancer; Sherrill conducts Mendelssohn’s Elijah at home in Illinois in her honor
1969
Wins his first Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording (RCA’s Così fan tutte with Leontyne Price, Judith Raskin, Tatiana Troyanos, George Shirley, Ezio Flagello, and the New Philharmonia Orchestra under Erich Leinsdorf)
1968
Performances at the Met as the Miller in Luisa Miller (with Montserrat Caballé and Richard Tucker) catapult Sherrill to international stardom
1967
Creates the role of Adam Brant in Martin David Levy’s Mourning Becomes Electra at the Met, conducted by Zubin Mehta and staged by Zorba the Greek director Michael Cacoyannis
1966
Sings for the first time at the new Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center (Valentin in Faust)
1965
Metropolitan Opera debut in Faust (Valentin) at old Met (also Caballé’s debut); from 1965 to 1997 Sherrill is a principal artist at the Met, singing 652 performances, and honored with 16 new productions, seven opening nights, and ten national telecasts