Birth

:

December 25, 1900 in Deepwater, MO

Death

:

July 7, 1969 in Florence, Italy

Genre

:

Film

 

 

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Gladys Swarthout was an American mezzo-soprano opera singer and actress who was born on December 25, 1900, in Deepwater, Missouri. She was the daughter of a Methodist minister and grew up in a musical family. Her mother was a pianist, and her father played the violin. Swarthout began singing in church choirs at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Swarthout attended the University of Missouri, where she studied music and voice. She also performed in local theater productions and sang in the university choir. After graduating, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in opera. In 1929, Swarthout made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, playing the role of Stephano in Charles Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette." She quickly became a favorite of audiences and critics alike, and she went on to perform in many other productions at the Met, including "Carmen," "La Traviata," and "The Barber of Seville." Swarthout was known for her rich, warm voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. She was also a talented actress and often played the lead roles in operas. In addition to her work at the Met, Swarthout also performed with other opera companies, including the San Francisco Opera and the Chicago Opera. In addition to her opera career, Swarthout also appeared in several films in the 1930s and 1940s. She made her film debut in 1935, playing the lead role in the musical comedy "Music Is Magic." She went on to appear in several other films, including "The Firefly" and "Maytime." Swarthout received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1939, she was awarded the National Radio Award for Best Female Singer. She also received the Handel Medallion from the City of New York in 1950 for her contributions to the arts. Swarthout retired from opera in 1952 but continued to perform in concerts and recitals. She also taught voice at the Juilliard School in New York City. She died on July 7, 1969, in Florence, Italy, at the age of 68. In conclusion, Gladys Swarthout was a talented and accomplished mezzo-soprano opera singer and actress who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Her rich, warm voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing made her a favorite of audiences and critics alike. She received many awards and honors throughout her career and left a lasting legacy in the world of opera.

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