Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

May 25, 1929 in Brooklyn, NY

Death

:

July 2, 2007 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Opera

 

Beverly Sills was an American operatic soprano who was born on May 25, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York. She was born Belle Miriam Silverman to Jewish parents, Shirley Bahn and Morris Silverman. Her father was a wallpaper salesman, and her mother was a housewife. Sills grew up in a modest home in Brooklyn, where she attended public schools. Sills showed an early interest in music and began singing at a young age. She took piano lessons and sang in her school choir. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Sills began studying voice with Estelle Liebling, a renowned vocal coach, at the age of seven. Sills made her professional debut at the age of 16, singing the role of Frasquita in Bizet's Carmen with the Philadelphia Civic Opera. She continued to perform with the company for several years, singing a variety of roles in operas such as La Traviata, The Barber of Seville, and The Marriage of Figaro. In 1955, Sills made her debut with the New York City Opera, singing the role of Rosalinda in Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus. She quickly became a favorite of audiences and critics alike, and her performances in operas such as The Merry Widow, The Ballad of Baby Doe, and La Traviata earned her widespread acclaim. Sills' career reached new heights in the 1960s and 1970s, when she began performing at some of the world's most prestigious opera houses. She made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London in 1967, singing the role of Cleopatra in Handel's Giulio Cesare. She also performed at the Paris Opera, the Vienna State Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. One of Sills' most memorable performances was in the title role of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor at the New York City Opera in 1972. Her performance was widely praised, and it helped to establish her as one of the greatest sopranos of her generation. Sills was also known for her work as an arts administrator. In 1979, she was appointed the general director of the New York City Opera, becoming the first woman to hold the position. She held the position for ten years, during which time she helped to revitalize the company and bring it to new heights of artistic excellence. Throughout her career, Sills received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the world of classical music. She was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Ronald Reagan in 1985, and she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1988. She was also awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 1994. Sills retired from performing in 1980, but she continued to be active in the world of classical music. She served as the chairwoman of the Metropolitan Opera Guild from 1994 to 2002, and she was a member of the board of directors of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Sills was also known for her philanthropic work. She was a strong supporter of the March of Dimes, and she served as the organization's national chairman from 1984 to 1990. She also founded the Beverly Sills Foundation, which provides financial support to young artists pursuing careers in the performing arts. Sills passed away on July 2, 2007, at the age of 78. She was remembered as one of the greatest sopranos of her generation, and her contributions to the world of classical music continue to be celebrated today.

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