Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

July 17, 1960 in Nashville, TN

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Dawn Upshaw is a renowned American soprano who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. She was born on July 17, 1960, in Nashville, Tennessee, to parents who were both music teachers. Upshaw grew up in Park Forest, Illinois, where she began singing in her church choir at a young age. She later attended Illinois Wesleyan University, where she studied voice and music education. After completing her undergraduate studies, Upshaw went on to pursue a master's degree in vocal performance at the Manhattan School of Music. It was during this time that she began to gain recognition for her exceptional talent as a soprano. In 1984, she won the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, which launched her career as a professional singer. Upshaw's early performances were primarily in opera, and she quickly gained a reputation as one of the most promising young sopranos of her generation. She made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1984, playing the role of the Shepherd in Richard Strauss's "Daphne." She went on to perform in a number of other operas, including Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," Stravinsky's "The Rake's Progress," and Debussy's "Pelléas et Mélisande." In addition to her work in opera, Upshaw also began to establish herself as a concert singer. She performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. She also collaborated with many of the most prominent conductors of the day, including Leonard Bernstein, James Levine, and Simon Rattle. One of Upshaw's most significant collaborations was with the composer Osvaldo Golijov. She premiered several of his works, including "Ayre," a song cycle that draws on the music of the Sephardic Jews of Spain and the Middle East. The piece was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Upshaw as a leading interpreter of contemporary music. Upshaw's career continued to flourish throughout the 1990s and 2000s. She won numerous awards and accolades, including four Grammy Awards and a MacArthur Fellowship. She also continued to perform in a wide range of settings, from opera houses to concert halls to intimate recital venues. One of Upshaw's most memorable performances was her rendition of the aria "Simple Song" from Leonard Bernstein's "Mass" at the memorial service for the victims of the September 11th attacks. The performance was widely praised for its emotional power and its ability to bring comfort to those who were grieving. Upshaw's commitment to contemporary music continued throughout her career. She premiered works by many of the leading composers of the day, including John Adams, Kaija Saariaho, and Thomas Adès. She also founded a program at the Tanglewood Music Center that focused on the performance of new music. In addition to her work as a performer, Upshaw has also been an advocate for music education. She has served on the faculty of several universities, including the Bard College Conservatory of Music and the Tanglewood Music Center. She has also been involved in a number of educational initiatives, including the creation of a program that brings music education to underserved communities. Upshaw's career has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a willingness to take risks. She has never been content to rest on her laurels, and she has always been willing to explore new musical territory.

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