Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

December 7, 1927 in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Death

:

October 7, 2009 in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Symphony

 

 

Vocal

 

Helen Watts was a British contralto who was born on December 7, 1927, in Milford Haven, Wales. She was the daughter of a Welsh father and an English mother. Her father was a musician who played the violin and the piano, and her mother was a singer. Helen Watts grew up in a musical family, and she started singing at a young age. Helen Watts studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she was a student of the famous contralto Kathleen Ferrier. She made her debut in 1952 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, where she sang the contralto solo in Handel's Messiah. Her performance was well-received, and she soon became a sought-after singer. Helen Watts was known for her rich, warm voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. She was particularly admired for her performances of Bach's cantatas and oratorios, as well as Handel's Messiah. She also sang works by other composers, including Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. One of the highlights of Helen Watts' career was her performance in the 1965 recording of Bach's St. Matthew Passion, conducted by Otto Klemperer. This recording is considered one of the greatest recordings of the work, and Helen Watts' performance of the aria "Erbarme dich" is particularly memorable. Helen Watts also performed with many of the world's leading orchestras and conductors, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic. She worked with conductors such as Sir Colin Davis, Sir John Barbirolli, and Leonard Bernstein. In addition to her performances, Helen Watts was also a respected teacher. She taught at the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Many of her students went on to have successful careers as singers. Helen Watts received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1964, she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to music. She was also awarded the Queen's Medal for Music in 2004, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to British music. Helen Watts retired from performing in the 1980s, but she continued to teach and mentor young singers. She died on April 21, 2009, at the age of 81. In conclusion, Helen Watts was a highly respected contralto who had a long and successful career as a performer and teacher. She was known for her rich, warm voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. Her performances of Bach's cantatas and oratorios, as well as Handel's Messiah, were particularly admired. She received many awards and honors throughout her career, and she was a beloved teacher who inspired many young singers. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians today.

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