Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Symphony

 

Florence Kopleff was a renowned American contralto who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. She was born on October 22, 1924, in Atlanta, Georgia, to a family of musicians. Her father was a violinist, and her mother was a pianist. Florence showed an early interest in music and began singing in her church choir at a young age. Kopleff attended the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where she studied voice and choral conducting. She later continued her studies at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in 1948. During her time at Juilliard, Kopleff studied with the renowned voice teacher, Anna E. Schoen-René. After completing her studies, Kopleff began her professional career as a soloist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 1948. She quickly gained recognition for her powerful and expressive voice, and her career took off. Kopleff went on to perform with some of the most prestigious orchestras and conductors in the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. One of Kopleff's most notable performances was her rendition of Gustav Mahler's "Das Lied von der Erde" with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 1961. Her performance was widely praised for its emotional depth and technical excellence. Kopleff also performed in several operas, including "Carmen," "Aida," and "The Marriage of Figaro." Kopleff was a frequent performer at the Salzburg Festival in Austria, where she worked with some of the most renowned conductors of the time, including Herbert von Karajan and Leonard Bernstein. She also performed at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland and the Tanglewood Music Festival in Massachusetts. In addition to her performing career, Kopleff was also a respected voice teacher. She taught at the Georgia State University School of Music for over 30 years and was known for her dedication to her students. Many of her students went on to have successful careers in the music industry. Kopleff received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the highest honor given to artists by the United States government. She was also inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Hall of Fame in 2000. Kopleff passed away on November 18, 2012, at the age of 88. She left behind a legacy as one of the most talented and influential contraltos of her time. Her powerful voice and dedication to her craft continue to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world.

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