Role

:

Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

December 1, 1913 in Weatherford, TX

Death

:

November 3, 1990 in Rancho Mirage, CA

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Mary Martin was a renowned classical music artist who was born on December 1, 1913, in Weatherford, Texas. She was the daughter of Preston Martin, a lawyer, and Juanita Presley, a former opera singer. Martin grew up in a musical family, and her mother was her first music teacher. She started singing in church choirs and local events at a young age. Martin's talent was recognized early on, and she was awarded a scholarship to study music at the University of Texas at Austin. She graduated with a degree in music in 1934 and moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. She started performing in nightclubs and cabarets, and her talent soon caught the attention of Broadway producers. Martin made her Broadway debut in 1938 in the musical "Leave It to Me!" She gained national recognition for her performance of the song "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." She went on to star in several other Broadway productions, including "One Touch of Venus," "South Pacific," and "The Sound of Music." Martin's performance in "South Pacific" was particularly noteworthy. She played the lead role of Nellie Forbush and won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1950. The musical was a huge success and ran for over 1,900 performances. Martin's rendition of the song "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" became a hit and is still remembered today. Martin's success on Broadway led to opportunities in film and television. She starred in several films, including "The Great Victor Herbert" and "Main Street to Broadway." She also appeared on television shows such as "The Ford 50th Anniversary Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show." In addition to her work in musical theater, Martin was also a talented classical music artist. She performed with orchestras around the world and recorded several albums of classical music. Her recordings of Mozart's "Exsultate, Jubilate" and Handel's "Messiah" are particularly noteworthy. Martin's talent and contributions to the arts were recognized with several awards and honors. She was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1972 and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1989. She was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1986. Martin continued to perform and work in the arts until her death on November 3, 1990, at the age of 76. She left behind a legacy of talent and dedication to the arts that continues to inspire and influence musicians and performers today.

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