Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

April Cantelo was a renowned British soprano who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. She was born on April 30, 1932, in London, England, to a family of musicians. Her father, Charles Cantelo, was a tenor, and her mother, Winifred Radford, was a pianist. April grew up in a musical environment and showed an early interest in singing. April received her formal education at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied under the tutelage of renowned vocal coaches such as Roy Henderson and Flora Nielsen. She graduated with honors in 1953 and began her career as a professional singer. April's early performances were mainly in oratorio and opera, and she quickly gained a reputation for her clear, pure voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. Her breakthrough came in 1955 when she was chosen to sing the role of the Angel in Benjamin Britten's opera "The Prodigal Son" at the Aldeburgh Festival. This performance was a turning point in her career, and she went on to become one of the most sought-after sopranos of her time. Over the next few years, April performed in many major opera houses and concert halls around the world. She sang with the Royal Opera House in London, the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, the Scottish Opera, and the English National Opera. She also performed in many prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Carnegie Hall, and the Sydney Opera House. April's repertoire was vast and included works by composers such as Mozart, Handel, Bach, and Britten. She was particularly known for her performances of Britten's works and was considered one of the foremost interpreters of his music. She also sang in many premieres of new works by contemporary composers, including Michael Tippett, Peter Maxwell Davies, and Harrison Birtwistle. April's performances were always highly acclaimed, and she received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1960, she was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Singer of the Year award, and in 1964, she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to music. She was also awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. One of April's most memorable performances was her portrayal of the role of Ellen Orford in Britten's opera "Peter Grimes." This performance, which took place at the Royal Opera House in 1969, was widely regarded as one of the greatest performances of the opera ever given. April's portrayal of Ellen Orford was praised for its emotional depth and sensitivity, and it cemented her reputation as one of the greatest sopranos of her time. April retired from performing in 1984 but continued to be involved in the world of music. She taught singing at the Royal Academy of Music and was a regular adjudicator at music competitions. She also served on the board of the Britten-Pears Foundation, which was established to promote the music of Benjamin Britten and his partner, the tenor Peter Pears. April Cantelo passed away on August 29, 2021, at the age of 89. She will be remembered as one of the greatest sopranos of her time, whose pure, clear voice and emotional depth touched the hearts of audiences around the world. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers for years to come.

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