Bill Mitchell
Porsche and Land Rover Guru
“I call Bill Mitchell, “The Pavarotti of Plaza” and believe me that is an understatement!
Bill had a very distinguished career in professional Opera before he forsook the stage
and his worldwide travel schedule to raise a family. Bill is a great guy and he has a sense of humor that will knock your sandals off!”
The Wise Guru
Years at Plaza: 6 fun filled years...
In a Porsche, it seems like only 2 years because time really flies!
Sunny Disposition Comes Naturally: Bill sports a perpetual tan because he is a native Florida boy, born and raised on the white sandy beaches of St. Petersburg, Florida
Education: University of South Florida in Tampa.
Professional Opera Career: Began Opera career with the Chicago Lyric Opera House, where he was an artist in residence for years. He sang roles with Lucianno Pavarotti, Sherrill Miles, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and many other world renowned Opera singers of that time.
Bill won the Metropolitan Opera auditions on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in Lincoln center in 1982 and soon moved his career to New York City where he studied with Franco Correli, and finished his masters in voice at Julliard School for the performing arts. Bill is a Puccini, Verdi Tenor!
Bill sang many roles as Rudolpho in Puccini's La Boheme. Caravodossi in Tosca, and covered many nights as the back up to Pavarotti. He was in Europe when he realized that he needed to be home with his two young children rather than be on the other side of the planet.
Professional Automotive Career: Bill started in the car industry to help pay the price for vocal studies with the likes of Franco Correlli in New York at Carnegie Hall. He also won first place as the Richard Tucker Tenor award winner for the best tenor of the year!
The car business was always good to Bill as it helped pay for all the bills while living in the "BIG APPLE. Bill was good at it too and was asked to be a "used car manager”. One thing lead to another and soon a career with Enterprise Rent a Car put him back in Chicago as The Group Car Sale Manager developing sale sites for retired rental cars.
Family Stats: Two children:
Daughter - Aimee just turned 30 and was recently married to a fine gentleman Bill now calls "Son" They were married in Napa Valley and "Yes" Dad did sing at the wedding with a small piece orchestra.
Son - Billy lives here in St. Louis. Bill is always fascinated with his youth, energy and what a fine young gentleman he is becoming.
Family is what it is all about. Bill’s best friend is his wife Jackie! He considers his son and daughter as the highlights of his life.
Bill and Jackie have rescued some stray cats and they are well cared for and keep his family laughing all the time. Ask any of their friends and they will tell you that there is hardly a dull moment when Bill and his family are together, a combination that just means a good life!
Favorite Professional Opera Pal: Bill says Lucianno Pavarotti will always be his friend and the greatest Tenor of all time!
Favorite Song: Nessun Dorma from Turandot with Pavarotti as Calaf has to be the best recording ever! I was there when Pavarotti performed it and it was unforgettable!
Plus, I love the operas of Puccini. I know them all!
Favorite Places: The white sandy beaches of St. Petersburg is Bill’s favorite but the cities of New York and Chicago, well, both come in as close seconds.
Favorite Pastimes and Sports: Magnum PI is Bill’s all time favorite TV show. Billiards and steel tip darts are a great way to spend an evening with friends. His garage, well it is Bill’s “Fortress of Solitude”, where he works on whatever he feels like or nothing at all. Football, Baseball, and Golf of course, and as board games go, it has to be Chess, but don’t leave out old fashion cards games like Bill’s favorite Hearts.
I’d just Like To Say: I truly believe that Plaza customers are unlike any in the world. I have met some of St. Louis finest people and they are wonderful and unique. Remember, “Zoom-Zoom” is what a Porsche does in PARK. Every one should drive one!
A Message to New Plaza Customers: Life is all about living every moment with happiness, joy and excitement...in the automotive category, I have two great ways to help you accomplish that mission – Porsche and Land Rover.
