Greg Sarchet, Double Bass

Hometown:  Munster, Indiana

Joined Lyric Orchestra in 1986

Education: UCLA and The Juilliard School

• What is your favorite opera to perform?

To watch and listen to, it’s Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier. I find it a transcendent and existential experience. I don't have a favorite opera to play. To be an opera musician is to embrace the entire repertoire. Most of us find something redeeming in every piece of music we perform.

• Why did you choose your instrument?​

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When I was 12 years old, my best friend played a 45 rpm record of the Beatles' Lady Madonna,  isolating the bass and drum tracks using the stereo channels. After hearing it, I said, “That is what I am going to do!” It was a watershed moment.  

• Who were your teacher’s teachers - your “grandteachers?”

I have been fortunate to have first studied the double bass with renowned jazz bassist Rufus Reid, and subsequently with Michael G. Morgan (former Principal Bass, Metropolitan Opera), and Orin O'Brien (New York Philharmonic). I am in the direct line of students of Frantisek Simandl and the Prague School dating to the 1840's.

• Outside of the pit:

I like to teach, cook, and shop estate sales.

• One of my favorite quotes:

"Life gives you the grade."---Albert Fuller, Juilliard School

• Tell us about some of your favorite non-classical musicians, music, pieces of music, or songs:

Joe Vito, (accordion and piano) is one of many musicians I have deeply admired.  Aside from being a natural born musician, he had an infectiously positive personality that came through in every note he played and in every interaction I had with him.