Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

July 4, 1928 in Attleboro, MA

Death

:

March 6, 1983 in Rome, Italy

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Cathy Berberian was an American mezzo-soprano and composer who was born on July 4, 1925, in Attleboro, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Armenian immigrants and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a singer and her mother played the piano. Berberian began her musical training at a young age, studying piano and voice. She later attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where she studied voice with Boris Goldovsky and piano with Leonard Shure. After completing her studies, Berberian moved to Italy in 1950 to pursue a career in opera. She made her debut at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan in 1954, singing the role of Marcellina in Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro." She quickly became known for her powerful voice and dramatic stage presence, and went on to perform in many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera. Berberian was also a champion of contemporary music, and worked closely with many of the leading composers of the 20th century, including Luciano Berio, John Cage, and Igor Stravinsky. She was particularly known for her interpretations of Berio's works, and premiered many of his compositions, including "Folk Songs" and "Sequenza III." In addition to her work as a performer, Berberian was also a composer and arranger. She wrote several works for voice and electronics, and arranged many traditional folk songs from around the world. She was also a pioneer in the use of extended vocal techniques, and developed a unique style of singing that incorporated elements of speech, laughter, and other non-traditional sounds. Berberian received many awards and honors throughout her career, including the Prix Italia for her recording of Berio's "Folk Songs" in 1965, and the Edison Award for her recording of Cage's "Aria" in 1970. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 1974 for her contributions to Italian culture. Berberian continued to perform and compose until her death in Rome on March 6, 1983, at the age of 57. She left behind a legacy as one of the most innovative and influential performers of the 20th century, and her work continues to inspire musicians and audiences around the world.

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