By Laurie Whittier
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

“We’re looking forward to starting a vocal ensemble and try ballroom dancing at Wind Crest,” says Jesse and Karol Teiko, who spent decades making music at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City’s Lincoln Center.

Now that they’re retired and moving to Wind Crest in July, they say  Colorado’s laid back lifestyle will be a refreshing change.

Jesse Teiko spent 25 years playing the Double Bass (also known as the Bass Fiddle) at the Met. He joined the orchestra in 1966, the year the opera company moved from 39th and Broadway to Lincoln Center. He was widowed shortly thereafter.

Three years later, he met a divorcee named Karol who had four young children and a remarkable voice. The two struck a pleasant chord as a couple. And as their relationship grew, Teiko convinced this enchanting young research chemist to audition for the chorus at the Met.

Talent, gumption, luck
Karol Teiko still remembers her audition. “I was number 26,” she says. “I didn’t have an opera prepared, and I didn’t even have my piece memorized. After I finished, they said I had the type of voice they were looking for and offered me a job.”

At the time, however, she wasn’t after full-time work because she had young children at home. “As luck would have it, they had a part-time position available and they offered it to me,” she says. She became a steady extra for the next ten years. When her kids got older, she signed on full time.

Jesse Teiko doesn’t have an audition story to tell, because the Met hired him without one. He had worked for other acclaimed area orchestras, and his reputation preceded him. “I was known as a nice guy who worked hard and played well with others,” he jokes.

With each passing year, the fast-paced opera company lifestyle became part of this couple’s genetic makeup. They thrived on the grueling rehearsals, nocturnal work schedule, and endless  excitement.