Birth

:

July 10, 1930

Death

:

February 22, 2022

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Symphony

 

 

Vocal

 

Josephine Veasey was a renowned mezzo-soprano who was born on August 27, 1930, in London, England. She was the daughter of a British father and an Irish mother. Her father was a professional musician who played the violin, and her mother was a singer. Veasey grew up in a musical family and was exposed to classical music from a young age. Veasey began her musical training at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied voice and piano. She made her professional debut in 1957 at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, where she played the role of Cherubino in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." Her performance was well-received, and she quickly gained a reputation as a talented mezzo-soprano. Over the next few years, Veasey performed in a number of operas and concerts throughout Europe. In 1960, she made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London, where she played the role of Rosina in Rossini's "The Barber of Seville." Her performance was a huge success, and she became a regular performer at the Royal Opera House. Veasey's career continued to flourish throughout the 1960s and 1970s. She performed in a number of operas, including "Carmen," "Don Giovanni," and "The Magic Flute." She also performed in concerts and recitals throughout Europe and the United States. One of Veasey's most notable performances was in the 1966 production of Benjamin Britten's "The Rape of Lucretia" at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Veasey played the role of Lucretia, and her performance was widely praised. The production was also recorded and released on CD, which helped to further cement Veasey's reputation as a talented mezzo-soprano. Veasey was also known for her collaborations with other musicians. She worked with a number of conductors, including Sir Colin Davis, Sir Georg Solti, and Leonard Bernstein. She also performed with a number of other singers, including Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti. Throughout her career, Veasey received a number of awards and honors. In 1970, she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to music. She was also awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Gold Medal in 1982, which is one of the highest honors in classical music. Veasey retired from performing in 1989, but she continued to be involved in the music world. She taught voice at the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. She also served as a judge for a number of singing competitions, including the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition. Josephine Veasey passed away on November 23, 2020, at the age of 90. She was remembered as a talented and versatile mezzo-soprano who had a long and successful career in the music world. Her contributions to classical music will continue to be celebrated for years to come.

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