Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Wilhelmenia Fernandez was born on December 9, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the youngest of six children and grew up in a musical family. Her mother was a singer and her father played the guitar. Fernandez began singing at a young age and was soon recognized for her talent. Fernandez attended the Philadelphia High School for Girls, where she continued to develop her musical skills. After graduating, she attended the Philadelphia Musical Academy, where she studied voice. She later moved to New York City to pursue her career in music. In 1974, Fernandez made her operatic debut in the role of Mimi in La Bohème at the New York City Opera. Her performance was well-received, and she quickly became a sought-after performer. She went on to perform in many other operas, including Carmen, Aida, and Tosca. Fernandez also became known for her performances in musical theater. In 1983, she starred in the Broadway production of The Marriage of Figaro, which earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. She also appeared in the Broadway productions of Porgy and Bess and Show Boat. In addition to her work in opera and musical theater, Fernandez was also a successful concert performer. She performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. She also performed at many prestigious music festivals, including the Salzburg Festival and the Edinburgh Festival. Fernandez was known for her powerful voice and her ability to convey emotion through her performances. She was also known for her versatility, as she was able to perform in a variety of musical genres. Throughout her career, Fernandez received many awards and honors. In 1984, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Ronald Reagan. She was also awarded the French Legion of Honor in 1990. In addition, she received numerous honorary degrees from universities around the world. Fernandez continued to perform throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2003, she retired from performing due to health issues. However, she remained active in the music world, serving as a judge for various singing competitions and mentoring young singers. Fernandez passed away on May 14, 2019, at the age of 71. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest classical music performers of her generation. Her powerful voice and emotional performances continue to inspire and move audiences around the world.

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