Freda Herseth was born on June 9, 1935, in Berwyn, Illinois. She grew up in a musical family, with her father being a trumpet player and her mother a pianist. Herseth began playing the piano at a young age, but it wasn't until she was in high school that she discovered her love for singing. After graduating from high school, Herseth attended the University of Illinois, where she studied voice with the renowned soprano, Margaret Harshaw. She also studied with other notable teachers, including Lotte Lehmann and Jennie Tourel. Herseth's career as a classical singer began in the early 1960s, when she made her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest sopranos of her generation, known for her clear, pure tone and impeccable technique. Over the course of her career, Herseth performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. She also appeared in numerous operas, including productions of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" and Verdi's "La Traviata." One of Herseth's most memorable performances came in 1971, when she sang the soprano solo in Mahler's Symphony No. 4 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Sir Georg Solti. The performance was recorded and later released on CD, becoming one of the most beloved recordings of the work. Herseth was also a frequent performer at the Ravinia Festival, the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She appeared there many times over the years, often singing in concerts conducted by Solti. In addition to her performances, Herseth was also a respected voice teacher. She taught at the University of Illinois and later at Northwestern University, where she was a professor of voice for many years. Throughout her career, Herseth received numerous awards and honors. In 1981, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Ronald Reagan, in recognition of her contributions to the arts in America. She was also a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 1993. Herseth retired from performing in 1996, but continued to teach and mentor young singers until her death in 2017. She was widely regarded as one of the greatest sopranos of her generation, and her legacy continues to inspire and influence singers around the world.

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