Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

October 4, 1931 in Canterbury, Kent, England

Death

:

February 24, 2014 in Peesten, Germany

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Anna Reynolds was a renowned British mezzo-soprano who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on 10th April 1931 in Liverpool, England, Anna Reynolds was the daughter of a music teacher and a pianist. Her parents were both passionate about music, and they encouraged her to pursue a career in the field. Anna Reynolds began her musical training at the Royal Manchester College of Music, where she studied under the guidance of Frederic Cox. She later continued her studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she was taught by Roy Henderson. During her time at the academy, she won several awards, including the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Scholarship. In 1957, Anna Reynolds made her professional debut at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, where she played the role of Cherubino in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." Her performance was well-received, and it marked the beginning of a successful career in opera. She went on to perform in several other productions at Glyndebourne, including "Don Giovanni," "The Magic Flute," and "The Barber of Seville." Anna Reynolds also performed at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, where she played the role of Octavian in Richard Strauss's "Der Rosenkavalier." Her performance was highly praised, and it established her as one of the leading mezzo-sopranos of her time. She went on to perform in several other productions at the Royal Opera House, including "Carmen," "The Marriage of Figaro," and "The Magic Flute." In addition to her work in opera, Anna Reynolds was also a highly sought-after concert performer. She performed with several leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. She also performed at several prestigious music festivals, including the Edinburgh International Festival and the Aldeburgh Festival. One of the highlights of Anna Reynolds's career was her performance in Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem" at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1963. The performance was conducted by the composer himself, and it featured several other leading musicians, including Peter Pears and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. The performance was a huge success, and it established Anna Reynolds as one of the leading interpreters of Britten's music. Anna Reynolds was also a highly respected teacher of singing. She taught at several leading music schools, including the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Many of her students went on to have successful careers in opera and concert performance. Throughout her career, Anna Reynolds received several awards and honors for her contributions to the world of classical music. In 1978, she was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to music. She was also awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Gold Medal in 1993, which is one of the highest honors in the field of classical music. Anna Reynolds retired from performing in 1990, but she continued to be involved in the music world as a teacher and mentor. She passed away on 15th December 2014 at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional performances and a lasting impact on the world of classical music.

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