Helen L. Phillips, opera soprano who broke color barrier, dead at 86

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

NEW YORK - Helen L. Phillips, a soprano who broke the color barrier among singers at the Metropolitan Opera seven years before Marian Anderson's historic debut, has died at 86.

Phillips died of heart failure July 27 at New York's Isabella Geriatric Center, her nurse there said.

Although the opera company had no formal policy barring non-whites from appearing on its stage, Phillips became the first black chorister when she was hired as an extra for five performances of Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana" from December 1947 through February 1948, said Met archivist Jeff McMillan. In 1933, a troupe of black dancers performed with the Met, he said.

In January 1955, Anderson became the first black singer to perform a major role at the Met, portraying Ulrica in Verdi's "A Masked Ball."

more:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050808/ap_en_mu/obit_phillips

[xultar]

1. I remember wanting to sing opera as a kid after seeing her on TeeV.

WOW we're losing a lot of good people.
:cry:

[burrowowl]

2. She and

Anderson!
GREAT SOPRANI!

RIP! Helen!

[Mr. Peanut]

3. An opera barrier for people of color?

Many superior African American singers who have retired or have become of 'a certain age' seem not to be replaced, and we know the talent is out there. Where are the young singers to follow in the famous footsteps of such greats as Leontyne Price, Martina Arroyo, Reri Grist, Grace Bumbry, Shirley Verrett, Martina Arroyo, Jessye Norman, Denyce Graves, Leona Mitchell, Kathleen Battle, Florence Cole-Talbert, Mattiwilda Dobbs, Gloria Davy, Robert McFerrin, William Warfield, Simon Estes, and George Shirley?

Denyce Graves is still making headlines worldwide with her luscious mezzo-soprano voice. Morris D. Robinson is an upcoming promising basso. And Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman appear occasionally, especially in concert. But I challenge the Met, La Scala, Covent Garden, New York City Opera, Chicago, and San Francisco to bring more and more Black singers to the stage to thrill us with their talents.

[alarcojon]

4. RIP Helen

and my condolences to your family.