Role

:

Performer

Birth

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October 8, 1925

Death

:

December 14, 2014

 

Irene Dalis was a renowned American mezzo-soprano and opera singer, as well as a celebrated arts administrator. Born on October 8, 1925, in San Jose, California, she was the daughter of Greek immigrants. Her father was a restaurateur, and her mother was a homemaker. Dalis grew up in a musical family, and her parents encouraged her to pursue her passion for singing. Dalis began her musical training at the age of 12, studying with the renowned vocal coach, Madame Cesarina Gheraldi. She continued her studies at San Jose State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. She then went on to study at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she received a Master of Music degree. Dalis made her professional debut in 1948, singing the role of Maddalena in Verdi's Rigoletto with the San Francisco Opera. She quickly established herself as a rising star in the opera world, and over the next several years, she performed with many of the world's leading opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and La Scala in Milan. One of Dalis's most memorable performances was her portrayal of the title role in Bizet's Carmen. She first performed the role in 1957 with the San Francisco Opera, and it became one of her signature roles. She went on to perform the role over 100 times throughout her career, including at the Metropolitan Opera and the Royal Opera House. In addition to her successful career as an opera singer, Dalis was also a dedicated arts administrator. In 1984, she founded the Opera San Jose, a professional opera company based in San Jose, California. Under her leadership, the company grew to become one of the most respected opera companies in the country, known for its high-quality productions and commitment to nurturing young talent. Dalis received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor awarded to artists by the United States government. She was also inducted into the California Hall of Fame and the San Jose Women's Hall of Fame. Dalis retired from singing in 1979 but continued to serve as the general director of Opera San Jose until 2014. She passed away on December 14, 2014, at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most accomplished and influential figures in the world of opera.

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