Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

March 10, 1892 in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England

Death

:

June 16, 1990 in London, England

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Eva Turner was a British soprano who was born on March 10, 1892, in the town of Oldham, Lancashire. She was the daughter of a cotton mill worker and grew up in a working-class family. Despite her humble beginnings, Turner showed an early talent for singing and began taking lessons at a young age. Turner's vocal abilities were recognized early on, and she was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Manchester College of Music. She continued her studies in London with the renowned vocal coach, Manuel Garcia, who had also taught the likes of Nellie Melba and Enrico Caruso. In 1919, Turner made her professional debut at the Royal Opera House in London, singing the role of Leonora in Verdi's "Il Trovatore." Her performance was a resounding success, and she quickly became one of the most sought-after sopranos in the country. Over the next few years, Turner continued to perform in London and throughout the UK, earning critical acclaim for her performances in operas such as "La Bohème," "Madama Butterfly," and "Tosca." In 1924, she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, singing the role of Aida in Verdi's eponymous opera. Turner's performance at the Met was a triumph, and she quickly became a favorite of audiences and critics alike. She went on to perform at the Met for several seasons, singing in operas such as "La Traviata," "Turandot," and "Carmen." In addition to her work in opera, Turner was also a prolific concert singer, performing in recitals and concerts throughout the world. She was particularly renowned for her interpretations of the works of Richard Wagner, and she was often called upon to sing the role of Brünnhilde in his "Ring Cycle." One of Turner's most famous performances took place in 1935, when she sang the role of Brünnhilde in a production of "Die Walküre" at Covent Garden. The performance was a landmark event in the history of opera, as it was the first time that a complete "Ring Cycle" had been performed in the UK. Turner's career continued to flourish throughout the 1930s and 1940s, and she was widely regarded as one of the greatest sopranos of her time. She was awarded numerous honors and awards, including the Order of the British Empire in 1946. Despite her success, Turner was known for her modesty and humility. She was deeply committed to her craft and was known for her tireless work ethic and dedication to her art. She continued to perform well into her seventies, and her final performance took place in 1965, when she sang the role of the Countess in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" at the Royal Opera House. Eva Turner passed away on June 16, 1990, at the age of 98. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest sopranos of the twentieth century, and her contributions to the world of opera continue to be celebrated and admired to this day.

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