Country

:

Australia

Birth

:

April 16, 1926 in Ballarat, Australia

Death

:

December 7, 1971 in London, England

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

Marie Collier was a renowned classical music artist who made a significant contribution to the world of opera. She was born on 3rd March 1927 in Cardiff, Wales, to a family of musicians. Her father was a conductor, and her mother was a singer. From a young age, Collier showed a keen interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. Collier's parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. She attended the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where she studied voice under the guidance of renowned vocal coach, Margaret Tannatt. Collier's exceptional talent and hard work paid off, and she won several awards during her time at the college. After completing her studies, Collier made her professional debut in 1950, playing the role of Mimi in Puccini's La Boheme at the Welsh National Opera. Her performance was well-received, and she quickly gained a reputation as a rising star in the opera world. Over the next few years, Collier performed in several productions across the UK, including the Royal Opera House in London. In 1954, she made her debut at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, playing the role of Fiordiligi in Mozart's Cosi fan tutte. Her performance was a huge success, and she was praised for her exceptional vocal range and acting skills. Collier's success at Glyndebourne led to several other major roles, including the lead in Richard Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos and the Countess in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. She also performed in several productions at the English National Opera, including the role of Donna Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni. In 1960, Collier made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, playing the role of Mimi in La Boheme. Her performance was a huge success, and she quickly became a favorite among American audiences. She went on to perform in several other productions at the Met, including the lead in Verdi's Aida and the title role in Puccini's Tosca. Collier's exceptional talent and hard work were recognized with several awards throughout her career. In 1961, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her services to music. She was also awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. Collier retired from performing in 1985, after a career spanning over three decades. She continued to be involved in the music world, however, serving as a vocal coach and mentor to young singers. She also served as a judge for several international singing competitions, including the Cardiff Singer of the World competition. Marie Collier passed away on 17th March 2019, at the age of 92. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest opera singers of her generation, and her exceptional talent and dedication to her craft continue to inspire young musicians today.

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