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Performer

 

Sarah Walker was born on March 10, 1943, in London, England. She grew up in a musical family, with her father being a professional violinist and her mother a pianist. Walker began her musical education at an early age, studying piano and singing. She attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied singing with Flora Nielsen and piano with Harold Craxton. In 1970, Walker made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London, singing the role of Cherubino in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." This performance launched her career as an opera singer, and she quickly became known for her powerful voice and dramatic stage presence. Over the next few years, she performed in many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, and the Paris Opera. In addition to her opera career, Walker was also a highly sought-after concert singer. She performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic. She was particularly known for her performances of Mahler's symphonies, and she recorded several of them with the London Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Sir Colin Davis. Throughout her career, Walker received many awards and honors for her contributions to classical music. In 1983, she was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to music. She was also awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Singer of the Year award in 1984 and the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera in 1985. One of the highlights of Walker's career was her performance in the world premiere of Benjamin Britten's "Death in Venice" at the Aldeburgh Festival in 1973. She sang the role of the Traveller, and her performance was widely praised for its emotional depth and musicality. She went on to perform the role in many productions of the opera around the world. Another notable performance was Walker's portrayal of the title character in Richard Strauss's "Der Rosenkavalier" at the Royal Opera House in 1984. Her performance was widely praised for its sensitivity and nuance, and it cemented her reputation as one of the leading sopranos of her generation. In addition to her performing career, Walker was also a respected teacher and mentor to many young singers. She taught at the Royal College of Music in London and was a visiting professor at several universities in the United States. She was known for her supportive and nurturing approach to teaching, and many of her students went on to successful careers in opera and concert singing. Sadly, Walker passed away on July 23, 2021, at the age of 78. She will be remembered as one of the great sopranos of the 20th century, with a voice that was both powerful and expressive. Her contributions to classical music will continue to inspire and influence generations of musicians to come.

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