Birth

:

July 10, 1933 in Massillon, OH

Death

:

September 15, 1989 in Rochester, NY

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Jan DeGaetani was an American mezzo-soprano and one of the most prominent classical music artists of the 20th century. She was born on July 10, 1933, in Massillon, Ohio, to Italian immigrant parents. Her father was a coal miner, and her mother was a homemaker. DeGaetani grew up in a musical family, and her parents encouraged her to pursue her passion for music. DeGaetani began her musical training at a young age, studying piano and voice. She attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1955. She then went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she earned a Master of Music degree in 1958. DeGaetani made her professional debut in 1958, performing in a production of Benjamin Britten's "The Rape of Lucretia" at the Tanglewood Music Festival. She quickly gained recognition for her powerful and expressive voice, and she became a sought-after performer in the world of classical music. Throughout her career, DeGaetani performed with some of the most prestigious orchestras and opera companies in the world. She made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1961, performing in a production of Mozart's "Don Giovanni." She also performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, among others. DeGaetani was known for her versatility as a performer, and she was equally at home performing opera, art song, and contemporary music. She was particularly renowned for her interpretations of the works of 20th-century composers, including Elliott Carter, George Crumb, and Milton Babbitt. DeGaetani was also a prolific recording artist, and she recorded more than 100 albums throughout her career. Her recordings included works by Bach, Handel, Mozart, Schubert, and many other composers. She also recorded several albums of contemporary music, including works by Carter, Crumb, and Babbitt. DeGaetani received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1976, she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, which allowed her to study and perform contemporary music in Europe. She was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1989, in recognition of her contributions to the world of classical music. DeGaetani's career was tragically cut short when she was diagnosed with cancer in 1989. She continued to perform and record despite her illness, but she passed away on September 15, 1989, at the age of 56. Jan DeGaetani was a trailblazer in the world of classical music, and her contributions to the art form continue to be celebrated today. Her powerful and expressive voice, her versatility as a performer, and her commitment to contemporary music have inspired generations of musicians and music lovers.

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