Margaret Lattimore is a renowned mezzo-soprano opera singer who has captivated audiences with her powerful voice and emotive performances. Born in New York City in 1967, Lattimore grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. Her parents were both music teachers, and her father was a professional trumpet player. Lattimore's early exposure to music and her family's encouragement helped to shape her passion for singing. Lattimore attended the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance. She then went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she received a Master of Music degree in opera performance. During her time at Juilliard, Lattimore was a student of renowned mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne, who recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in opera. Lattimore's career began to take off in the early 1990s, when she won several prestigious vocal competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the George London Foundation Competition. These wins helped to establish her as a rising star in the opera world, and she soon began to receive invitations to perform with some of the world's leading opera companies. One of Lattimore's early breakthrough performances came in 1995, when she made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She sang the role of the Second Lady in Mozart's "The Magic Flute," and her performance was widely praised for its clarity, warmth, and expressiveness. This debut marked the beginning of a long and successful relationship between Lattimore and the Metropolitan Opera, where she has since performed in numerous productions. Over the years, Lattimore has become known for her versatility as a singer, with a repertoire that spans a wide range of styles and periods. She has sung everything from Baroque operas by Handel and Purcell to contemporary works by composers such as John Adams and Jake Heggie. Her voice is characterized by its rich, warm tone and its ability to convey a wide range of emotions, from joy and exuberance to sorrow and despair. One of Lattimore's most acclaimed performances came in 2002, when she sang the role of Sesto in Mozart's "La Clemenza di Tito" at the Glyndebourne Festival in England. Her performance was hailed as a triumph, with critics praising her "luminous" voice and her ability to convey the character's complex emotions. The production was later released on DVD, and Lattimore's performance has since become a benchmark for other singers tackling the role. In addition to her work on the opera stage, Lattimore has also performed in concert halls around the world. She has sung with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Her concert repertoire includes works by composers such as Mahler, Brahms, and Verdi, as well as contemporary composers such as John Corigliano and Osvaldo Golijov. Lattimore's talent and dedication to her craft have earned her numerous awards and honors over the years. In 2000, she was awarded the Richard Tucker Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the opera world, which recognizes young singers who show great promise. She has also been honored with the Marian Anderson Award, the Opera Index Award, and the George London-Kirsten Flagstad Award, among others.

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