Genre

:

Vocal

 

Vivien Ellis was a British classical music artist who was born on August 28, 1924, in London, England. She was the daughter of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a pianist and her mother was a singer, and they both encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Ellis began her musical training at an early age, studying piano and singing. She attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied voice and piano. She also studied with the renowned vocal coach, Frederick Husler, who helped her develop her unique vocal style. Ellis made her professional debut in 1947, singing the role of the Countess in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. She quickly established herself as a leading soprano, performing in many of the world's most prestigious opera houses and concert halls. One of Ellis's most notable performances was in Benjamin Britten's opera, Peter Grimes, which premiered in 1945. She sang the role of Ellen Orford, the schoolmistress who tries to help the troubled fisherman, Peter Grimes. The opera was a huge success and helped establish Britten as one of the leading composers of the 20th century. Ellis also performed in many other operas, including Mozart's Don Giovanni, Verdi's La Traviata, and Puccini's La Bohème. She was known for her clear, pure voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. In addition to her opera performances, Ellis was also a successful concert singer. She performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. She also recorded many albums of classical music, including a highly acclaimed recording of Handel's Messiah. Ellis received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1953, she was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Gold Medal, one of the highest honors in British classical music. She was also made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1976 for her services to music. Ellis retired from performing in the 1980s but continued to be involved in music. She taught voice at the Royal Academy of Music and was a mentor to many young singers. She also served on the board of the Royal Opera House and was a trustee of the Britten-Pears Foundation. Ellis passed away on January 30, 2020, at the age of 95. She was remembered as one of the greatest sopranos of her generation and a true ambassador for classical music. Her legacy lives on through her recordings and the many singers she inspired and mentored throughout her career.

More....