Birth

:

May 24, 1932 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

Elaine Malbin was a renowned American soprano who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on February 22, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York, Malbin showed an early interest in music and began singing at a young age. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Malbin received her formal training at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where she studied under the guidance of the renowned voice teacher, Florence Page Kimball. She also received coaching from the famous conductor, Leonard Bernstein, who recognized her potential and encouraged her to pursue a career in opera. Malbin made her professional debut in 1950, at the age of 22, with the New York City Opera, where she performed the role of Musetta in Puccini's La Bohème. Her performance was well-received, and she quickly established herself as a rising star in the world of opera. Over the next few years, Malbin performed with several major opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and the Chicago Lyric Opera. She also appeared in numerous concerts and recitals, both in the United States and abroad. One of Malbin's most notable performances was her portrayal of the title role in Handel's opera, Semele, which she performed at the Glyndebourne Festival in England in 1957. Her performance was widely praised, and she received critical acclaim for her interpretation of the role. Malbin was also known for her performances in the works of Mozart, particularly her portrayal of the role of Donna Anna in Don Giovanni. She performed this role numerous times throughout her career, including at the Metropolitan Opera in 1959, where she received rave reviews for her performance. In addition to her work in opera, Malbin was also a prolific recording artist. She recorded several albums of classical music, including a highly acclaimed recording of Handel's Messiah, which she recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1959. Throughout her career, Malbin received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the world of classical music. In 1956, she was awarded the Marian Anderson Award, which recognized her as one of the most promising young singers in the United States. She was also awarded the Handel Medallion by the City of New York in 1960, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the world of opera. Despite her success, Malbin's career was not without its challenges. In the early 1960s, she began to experience vocal problems, which forced her to take a hiatus from performing. She underwent surgery to correct the issue, but her voice never fully recovered, and she was forced to retire from performing in 1965. After her retirement, Malbin continued to be involved in the world of classical music, serving as a voice teacher and mentor to young singers. She also remained active in the music community, serving on the board of directors for several music organizations. Elaine Malbin passed away on December 17, 2019, at the age of 91. She will be remembered as one of the most talented and influential sopranos of her generation, whose contributions to the world of classical music will continue to be celebrated for years to come.

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