HWOF

Beverly Sills on Album Cover

Source: Freebase

Beverly Sills (May 25, 1929 – July 2, 2007) was a Jewish American operatic soprano who enjoyed a successful career during the 1950s through the 1970s. Although she sang a wide repertoire that encompassed everything from Handel and Mozart to Puccini, Massenet, Wagner, and Verdi, she was particularly famous for her performances in coloratura soprano roles in operas around the world and on recordings. Sills was largely associated with the operas of Gaetano Donizetti, of which she performed and recorded many roles. Her signature roles include the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor, the title role in Manon, Marie in La Fille du Régiment, the three heroines in Les contes d’Hoffmann, Rosina in The Barber of Seville, and Violetta in La Traviata. After retiring from singing in 1980, she became the general manager of the New York City Opera. In 1994, she became the Chairman of Lincoln Center and then, in 2002, of the Metropolitan Opera, stepping down in 2005.

• Born: May 25, 1929
• Died: July 2, 2007 (Aged 78)
• Occupation: Opera Singer and Opera Company Manager

Read more about Beverly Sills at Wikipedia or at the Internet Movie Database

ArtsBeat: Beverly Sills Artist Award Announced
NY Times Music, 2012-01-30 21:30:37
The soprano Angela Meade won the $50,000 prize for singers from ages 25 to 40 who have already appeared in featured roles at the Metropolitan Opera.

Board of troubled NYC Opera meets to talk future (AP)
Yahoo Entertainment, 2011-05-20 00:09:25
AP - The New York City Opera, a pillar of American culture that for decades has built daring new productions along with the careers of stars like Placido Domingo, Renee Fleming and Beverly Sills, is fighting for its life.

Board of troubled NYC Opera meets to talk future (AP)
Yahoo Entertainment, 2011-05-19 23:39:02
AP - A New York City Opera spokeswoman says board members have extended their discussions about the company's future into Thursday evening.