Sandra Warfield was an American mezzo-soprano who was born on June 22, 1922, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the daughter of a Baptist minister and grew up in a musical family. Her mother was a pianist and her father was a singer, and they both encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Warfield began her musical training at the age of 12, studying piano and voice. She attended the Chicago Musical College and later the Juilliard School in New York City. She made her professional debut in 1943 with the National Negro Opera Company, singing the role of Carmen in Bizet's opera of the same name. Warfield quickly gained recognition for her powerful voice and dramatic stage presence. She made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1950, singing the role of Ulrica in Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera." She went on to perform at the Met for 17 seasons, singing a wide range of roles in operas by Verdi, Mozart, Wagner, and others. In addition to her work at the Met, Warfield was a frequent guest artist with other major opera companies, including the San Francisco Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Houston Grand Opera. She also appeared in concert with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Warfield was known for her powerful voice, which had a rich, dark tone and a wide range. She was particularly admired for her performances of Verdi's operas, and she was considered one of the leading interpreters of the role of Amneris in "Aida." She also had a successful career as a recitalist, performing art songs and lieder by composers such as Schubert, Schumann, and Brahms. Throughout her career, Warfield received many honors and awards. In 1954, 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 1998, the highest honor given to artists by the United States government. Warfield retired from performing in 1984, but she continued to be active in the music world as a teacher and mentor. She taught at the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music, and she was a frequent guest lecturer at universities and music schools around the country. Sandra Warfield died on March 29, 2013, at the age of 90. She was remembered as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of her generation, and as a trailblazer for African American artists in the world of classical music. Her legacy continues to inspire young musicians today.

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