Musicians You Should Know: Grace Bumbry

Basic Facts

Born: January 4, 1937, St. Louis, Missouri

Type of Performer: Vocalist (soprano)

Genre: Opera, classical

Awards/Notable Achievements:

First Black person to sing at the Paris Opera House
First Black person to be cast in a lead role at the Bayreuth Opera House
First Black opera singer to perform at the White House
American Guild of Musical Artists "Lawrence Tibbett Award" winner
Awarded France's "L'Officier des Arts et Lettres"
Awarded France's "Commandeur des Arts et Lettres"
Awarded Italy's "Premio Giuseppe Verdi"
Awarded four Honorary Doctorates
Kennedy Center Honoree (2009)

About Grace Bumbry

Born in St. Louis, Grace Bumbry became interested in music after seeing Marian Anderson perform. At age 16, she won first prize in a radio singing contest and appeared on the popular show "Arthur Godfrey Talent Scout Show." She went on to study at Boston University and Northwestern University before being invited to study at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California, with Lotte Lehmann. She earned an invitation to audition at the Paris Opera House and was immediately engaged. She became the first Black performer to sing there, at the age of 23. She was then invited to audition in Bayreuth for Wieland Wagner (grandson of Richard Wagner) and she won the role of Venus in Tannhaeuser, the first Black person to be cast in a role at the famed Festspielhaus. In 1962, one year later, she was invited to perform at the White House for the Kennedys, and in doing so she became the first Black opera singer to perform there.

In addition to performing lead roles in numerous operas around the world, Bumbry was an accomplished recitalist. She had a big range, and even caused a stir in the opera world when she transitioned from mezzo-soprano to soprano. She has collaborated with numerous composers and conductors, including James Levine and Lorin Maazel. She has earned numerous awards and accolades, including being named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and several international music awards. She gave her farewell tour in 2007-2008, but continued to travel and give masterclasses around the world. In 2009, she founded the Grace Bumbry Vocal and Opera Academy in Berlin, a summer masterclass series to help with voice and role preparations. Also in 2009, she was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors by President Barack Obama.

Listen

"Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix," from Sampson et Dalila

Aida, singing both roles (1973)

Music Notes from AMUSE

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