Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

June 7, 1940 in Morecambe, Lancashire, England

Death

:

April 16, 1992 in Morecambe, Lancashire, England

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Symphony

 

Alfreda Hodgson was a renowned British mezzo-soprano who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. She was born on 11th June 1940 in the town of Middlesbrough, England. Her parents were both music lovers, and her father was a church organist. Hodgson's love for music was evident from a young age, and she began singing in her church choir at the age of six. Hodgson's musical education began at the Royal Manchester College of Music, where she studied under the tutelage of Frederic Cox. She later continued her studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she was taught by Flora Nielsen and Roy Henderson. Hodgson's talent was quickly recognized, and she won several awards during her time at the academy, including the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Scholarship. Hodgson made her professional debut in 1965, singing the role of Cherubino in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Her performance was widely praised, and she quickly established herself as one of the leading mezzo-sopranos of her generation. Hodgson went on to perform at some of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Paris Opera. One of Hodgson's most notable performances was her portrayal of the title role in Benjamin Britten's "The Rape of Lucretia" at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera in 1975. Her performance was widely acclaimed, and it cemented her reputation as one of the finest interpreters of Britten's music. Hodgson went on to perform in several other Britten operas, including "Peter Grimes" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Hodgson was also a highly sought-after concert performer, and she performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic. She was particularly renowned for her performances of Mahler's music, and she recorded several of his symphonies with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Colin Davis. Hodgson's career was not without its challenges, however. In 1981, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she underwent a mastectomy. Despite this setback, Hodgson continued to perform, and she became a vocal advocate for breast cancer awareness. She also established the Alfreda Hodgson Scholarship, which provides financial support to young singers studying at the Royal Academy of Music. Hodgson's final performance was in 1995, when she sang the role of the Countess in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" at the Royal Opera House in London. She retired from performing shortly thereafter, but she continued to be involved in the world of classical music. She served as a judge for several singing competitions, including the Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Scholarship, and she was a vocal advocate for the importance of music education. Alfreda Hodgson was widely recognized for her contributions to the world of classical music. She was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1986 for her services to music, and she was made a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in 1991. She was also awarded the Wigmore Hall Medal in 1995, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the world of music. Hodgson passed away on 10th June 2010, at the age of 69.

More....