Birth

:

September 19, 1918 in Monessen, PA

Death

:

March 23, 2010 in San Francisco, CA

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Blanche Thebom was an American mezzo-soprano who was born on September 19, 1915, in Monessen, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Swedish immigrants and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a violinist and her mother was a pianist. Blanche began singing at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Blanche attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied voice with Anna E. Schoen-René. She made her professional debut in 1937 with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where she sang the role of Siegrune in Richard Wagner's "Die Walküre." She quickly became a favorite of audiences and critics alike, and her career took off. Over the course of her career, Blanche Thebom performed in many of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Paris Opera, and La Scala in Milan. She was known for her powerful voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. One of the highlights of Blanche Thebom's career was her performance in the title role of Georges Bizet's "Carmen" at the Metropolitan Opera in 1948. Her portrayal of the fiery gypsy woman was praised by critics, and the production was a huge success. She also performed in many other operas, including "Aida," "Don Giovanni," and "The Marriage of Figaro." In addition to her work in opera, Blanche Thebom was also a successful concert singer. She performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. She was particularly known for her performances of Gustav Mahler's music, and she recorded several of his works. Blanche Thebom received many awards and honors over the course of her career. In 1954, she was awarded the Handel Medallion by the City of New York for her contributions to the arts. She was also inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1961. In 1963, she was awarded the Order of Vasa by the King of Sweden for her contributions to Swedish culture. Blanche Thebom retired from performing in 1967, but she continued to teach voice at the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music. She also served as a judge for many singing competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Blanche Thebom passed away on March 23, 2010, at the age of 94. She was remembered as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of her time, and her recordings continue to be admired by music lovers around the world. Her legacy lives on through the many singers she taught and inspired, and through the recordings and performances that showcase her incredible talent.

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