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elleng

(131,122 posts) Thu Mar 21, 2013, 01:32 PM Mar 2013

Risë Stevens, Stalwart Opera Star at the Met, Dies at 99.

Last edited Thu Mar 21, 2013, 02:10 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/22/arts/music/rise-stevens-opera-singer-dies-at-99.html?hp&_r=0

Risë Stevens, the internationally renowned mezzo-soprano who had a 23-year career with the Metropolitan Opera, where she practically owned the role of Carmen during the 1940s and ’50s, died on Wednesday at her home in Manhattan. She was 99. . .

On the Met’s roster from 1938 to 1961, Ms. Stevens was a superstar in an era when operatic superstardom was conferred mostly on sopranos and tenors. A Bronx native from a modest background, she was widely admired as a populist who help democratize the rarefied world of opera. She was known to a large public not only through her recordings and recitals, but also through her appearances on radio and television and in motion pictures.

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I remember listening to her Carmen. She was one of Dad's favorites.

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Risë Stevens, Stalwart Opera Star at the Met, Dies at 99. (Original Post) elleng Mar 2013 OP

She was a wonderful singer. DavidDvorkin Mar 2013 #1

Used to watch her on the "Firestone" Hour (I think it was Firestone)..RIP, great artist...n/t monmouth3 Mar 2013 #2

Yes, Firestone. elleng Mar 2013 #3

I remember her being on the Ed Sullivan show a few times. lpbk2713 Mar 2013 #4

I grew up listening to her recordings REP Mar 2013 #5

One of the all-time legends of opera. . . DinahMoeHum Mar 2013 #6

I used to listen to the Met opera every Saturday when Cleita Mar 2013 #7

DavidDvorkin

(19,486 posts)

1. She was a wonderful singer.

Reply to elleng (Original post)

Thu Mar 21, 2013, 02:07 PM

Mar 2013

monmouth3

(3,871 posts)

2. Used to watch her on the "Firestone" Hour (I think it was Firestone)..RIP, great artist...n/t

Reply to elleng (Original post)

Thu Mar 21, 2013, 03:50 PM

Mar 2013

elleng

(131,122 posts)

3. Yes, Firestone.

Reply to monmouth3 (Reply #2)

Thu Mar 21, 2013, 03:53 PM

Mar 2013

lpbk2713

(42,766 posts)

4. I remember her being on the Ed Sullivan show a few times.

Reply to elleng (Original post)

Thu Mar 21, 2013, 04:54 PM

Mar 2013

May she RIP, she had a long run.

REP

(21,691 posts)

5. I grew up listening to her recordings

Reply to elleng (Original post)

Thu Mar 21, 2013, 05:06 PM

Mar 2013

I am a natural mezzo, so of course I liked to listen and imitate her.

DinahMoeHum

(21,809 posts)

6. One of the all-time legends of opera. . .

Reply to elleng (Original post)

Thu Mar 21, 2013, 10:47 PM

Mar 2013

and she, along with Richard Tucker, Robert Merrill, Marian Anderson, etc., were the first American-born singers to make their impact in the opera world. They opened the doors for other American opera singers to follow.

May you sing sweetly among the angels in heaven, dear lady.

Bravo Bravo Bravo

Cleita

(75,480 posts)

7. I used to listen to the Met opera every Saturday when

Reply to elleng (Original post)

Thu Mar 21, 2013, 10:52 PM

Mar 2013

they broadcasted the matinee performance. Yes, I so remember her Carmen. She was wonderful.

I think she also had a reputation of being thin and glamorous at a time when most of the Divas were quite plump.

Rest in peace Rise.

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