Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Opera soprano who broke racial barriers as the first Black artist to perform an operatic role on US national television.
On the island
Eight records
The keepsakes
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:00You were born in the state of Mississippi. Do you come from a musical family?
I wouldn't say I'm [a] musical family as such, but my mother had a gloriously beautiful voice and sang an awful lot, so I guess probably that was the beginning of my initial inspiration to sing, yes.
Presenter asks
1:07When did the ambition begin to take shape that you wanted music to be your life, your profession?
I recall vividly an experience which I think probably pinpointed it for me. At the age of nine or ten … I was carried by my mother to a neighbouring town of Jackson, Mississippi. And a gloriously regal lady walked out on stage in a beautiful white gown, and her name was Marian Anderson. And I knew as soon as I saw her walk out, even before she started to sing, and even more afterwards, that that's what I'd like to do one day.
Presenter asks
1:53You won a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music in New York. Was the scholarship enough to live on or did you have to take jobs?
I had jobs. … I had a part-time job as a hostess behind an information desk at the International House in New York City. … It certainly helped to pay for music and I had some help from friends and I worked also alternate Sundays for a church. … So we made ends meet what with my parents' help and mine.
The luxury
Presenter asks
2:30As a student, which singers influenced you most?
Number one, as I said, Marian Anderson. Operatically speaking, I would have to say, without any question, Maria Callas. I think that she has left for us all a legacy of electricity, histrionic achievements, vocal perfection, professionalism, qualities that are too numerous to mention. As far as opera is concerned, she definitely was my great, great inspiration.
Presenter asks
5:09You sang Aida at La Scala, Milan. Was that a nerve-wracking occasion? An American singing a Verdi role in Milan?
I think you can be humble to an extent, but not too humble … I've never been afraid doing Aida. It's sort of my comfortable shoe part, you know. … So I wasn't upset about it at all.
“A gloriously regal lady walked out on stage in a beautiful white gown, and her name was Marian Anderson. And I knew as soon as I saw her walk out, even before she started to sing, and even more afterwards, that that's what I'd like to do one day.”
“I was given the role of Tosca, which made quite a splash in many ways, happily vocally, I'm very happy to say, but also the fact that it was the first time a black artist was in an operatic role on national television.”
“Speaking of petrifying experiences, that was one, yes. In 1966 the opera Antony and Cleopatra written by our very marvellous composer Samuel Barber was the opening of the new Metropolitan Opera House and I had the privilege of singing the part of Cleopatra.”
“My love for English history makes it happier days for me when I'm not recording to stay in London. … There's so much to see here. It's a glory.”
“There's another role that I'm adding to my repertoire within the year, and that is Manon Lescaut of Puccini. So right now that's probably my most exciting thing to look forward to.”