Birth

:

February 25, 1944 in Pomona, CA

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Lucy Shelton is a renowned American soprano and contemporary music specialist. She was born on August 8, 1948, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. Her parents were both musicians, and her father was a composer and conductor. Shelton began her musical training at an early age, studying piano and voice. She attended Memphis State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in voice. After completing her undergraduate studies, Shelton moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. She continued her vocal training with Beverley Peck Johnson and made her professional debut in 1972 with the New York City Opera. She quickly established herself as a leading interpreter of contemporary music, performing works by composers such as Elliott Carter, Milton Babbitt, and George Crumb. Shelton's career took off in the 1980s, when she began collaborating with some of the most prominent composers of the time. She premiered works by John Adams, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass, among others. She also worked closely with Elliott Carter, who wrote several pieces specifically for her voice. Shelton's performances of Carter's music earned her critical acclaim and established her as one of the foremost interpreters of his work. In addition to her work as a performer, Shelton has also been an advocate for contemporary music. She has served on the faculty of the Tanglewood Music Center and the New England Conservatory of Music, where she has taught master classes and worked with young composers. She has also been a frequent guest lecturer and performer at universities and music festivals around the world. Shelton's career has been marked by numerous highlights and accolades. In 1983, she won the Naumburg Competition, which is one of the most prestigious awards for young classical musicians. She has also been a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, which is commonly known as the "genius grant." In 1994, she was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in recognition of her contributions to music. Throughout her career, Shelton has performed with some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles. She has appeared with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra, among others. She has also collaborated with many of the leading conductors of our time, including Pierre Boulez, James Levine, and Simon Rattle. Shelton's discography is extensive and includes recordings of works by many of the composers with whom she has collaborated. She has recorded for a variety of labels, including Deutsche Grammophon, Nonesuch, and Bridge Records. Some of her most notable recordings include her performances of Elliott Carter's "A Mirror on Which to Dwell" and "Of Challenge and of Love," as well as her recording of John Adams' "Grand Pianola Music." In recent years, Shelton has continued to perform and record, although she has scaled back her schedule somewhat. She has also become involved in philanthropic work, supporting organizations such as the American Music Center and the MacDowell Colony. She remains a beloved figure in the world of contemporary music and a champion of new and innovative works.

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