Birth

:

July 24, 1925 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Symphony

 

 

Vocal

 

Adele Addison was born on July 24, 1925, in Springfield, Massachusetts. She grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Addison attended the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where she studied voice and music theory. After graduating, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in opera. She made her debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1948, singing the soprano solo in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Addison quickly gained recognition for her powerful voice and expressive performances. She became a regular soloist with the New York Philharmonic and other major orchestras, performing works by composers such as Mozart, Bach, and Handel. In 1950, Addison made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera, singing the role of the First Lady in Mozart's The Magic Flute. She went on to perform many other roles at the Met, including Pamina in The Magic Flute, Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, and Zerlina in Don Giovanni. Addison also became known for her performances of contemporary music. She premiered works by composers such as Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, and Leonard Bernstein, and was a frequent collaborator with the Robert Shaw Chorale. In addition to her work in opera and classical music, Addison also appeared in several films. She sang the theme song for the 1951 film version of A Streetcar Named Desire, and appeared in the 1959 film version of Porgy and Bess, singing the role of Clara. Throughout her career, Addison received many awards and honors. She won a Grammy Award in 1961 for her recording of Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915, and was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1999. She was also inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 2002. Addison continued to perform and teach throughout her life, and was a beloved figure in the classical music world. She passed away on December 31, 2020, at the age of 95. Her legacy lives on through her recordings and performances, and through the many singers she inspired and mentored over the years.

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