Birth

:

July 11, 1925 in Atlanta, GA

Death

:

December 8, 2015 in Atlanta, GA

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Mattiwilda Dobbs was a renowned American soprano who made a significant impact on the world of classical music during her career. Born on July 11, 1925, in Atlanta, Georgia, Dobbs was the youngest of six children. Her parents, John Wesley Dobbs and Irene Ophelia Thompson Dobbs, were both prominent figures in the African American community in Atlanta. Her father was a civil rights activist and a member of the Atlanta City Council, while her mother was a teacher. Dobbs showed an early interest in music and began singing in her church choir at a young age. She attended Spelman College in Atlanta, where she studied music and sang in the college choir. After graduating in 1946, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in opera. Dobbs made her professional debut in 1951 at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, Italy, as Gilda in Verdi's Rigoletto. Her performance was a huge success, and she quickly became known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. She went on to perform in some of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including La Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. One of Dobbs' most notable performances was in the title role of Mozart's The Magic Flute at the Salzburg Festival in 1955. Her performance was widely praised, and she became the first African American to perform at the festival. She also made history as the first African American to perform at La Scala in Milan, where she sang the role of Lucia in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor in 1958. Dobbs was known for her versatility as a singer, and she performed a wide range of roles throughout her career. She was particularly acclaimed for her performances in the works of Mozart, Rossini, and Donizetti. She also performed in several world premieres, including the role of Cleopatra in Samuel Barber's Antony and Cleopatra at the opening of the new Metropolitan Opera House in 1966. In addition to her opera performances, Dobbs was also a frequent concert performer. She sang with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. She also recorded several albums, including a collection of spirituals and a recording of Mozart's Exsultate, jubilate. Dobbs received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1958, she was awarded the Marian Anderson Award, which recognizes African American artists who have made significant contributions to the arts. She was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1991, the highest honor given to artists by the United States government. Dobbs retired from performing in 1974 and returned to Atlanta, where she became a professor of voice at Spelman College. She continued to teach and mentor young singers until her death on December 8, 2015, at the age of 90. Dobbs' legacy as a trailblazing African American opera singer continues to inspire generations of musicians. Her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence paved the way for future generations of African American opera singers, and her contributions to the world of classical music will be remembered for years to come.

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