Updated 01/28/2012 04:20 PM
Met Opera Star Retires After Nearly 45 Years
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Metropolitan Opera star Paul Plishka is saying goodbye to the stage.
The 70-year old bass singer retired Saturday after 1,642 performances and nearly 45 years at the Met.
Plishka was born in Pennsylvania and moved as a teenager to Paterson, New Jersey.
In 1967, the Met offered him a contract to sing in New York after touring with their national company.
Plishka sang his final performance as the Sacristan in "Tosca" Saturday afternoon.
He originated the role back in 1971.