Kathleen Ferrier

Kathleen Mary Ferrier (22 April 1912 – 8 October 1953), was a British contralto born in Preston, Lancashire, England.

Related Topics:
22 April - 1912 - 8 October - 1953 - Contralto - Preston - Lancashire - England

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She left school at 14 and worked as a telephone operator in Blackburn. She married a bank manager called Bert Wilson in 1935, and moved to Carlisle. It was in Carlisle that her husband bet her that she could not sing in a singing competition. She entered and won in two categories. She had thought to enter as a pianist. It could have been this which brought her talents to public attention, and was a significant factor in her deciding to pursue a career in music. Her marriage, however, did not work out, and was annulled after 12 years.

Related Topics:
Blackburn - Carlisle

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She studied with the baritone, Roy Henderson, who was a well known singing teacher at the time. Benjamin Britten wrote several parts specifically for her, including Lucretia in The Rape of Lucretia, Abraham and Isaac (also written for Peter Pears), and part of the Spring Symphony (1949). She worked with several famous conductors, including Bruno Walter, John Barbirolli, Malcolm Sargent, Clemens Krauss, Herbert von Karajan, Eduard van Beinum and also with Benjamin Britten. She also worked with other famous singers such as Isobel Baillie and Peter Pears.

Related Topics:
Baritone - Roy Henderson - Benjamin Britten - Peter Pears - Bruno Walter - John Barbirolli - Malcolm Sargent - Clemens Krauss - Herbert von Karajan - Eduard van Beinum - Isobel Baillie

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Her final performance was as Orpheus in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice at Covent Garden in 1953. She had previously sung this at Glyndebourne in 1947, but the Royal Opera House performance was sung in English. She only sang in two performances. Ferrier died of breast cancer in 1953.

Related Topics:
Gluck - Orfeo ed Euridice - Covent Garden - Glyndebourne - Royal Opera House

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