Shirley Verrett sing Dido
It is such sad news to lose one of the great opera legends. Shirley Verrett, mezzo soprano/dramatic soprano, died on Friday, November 5, 2010. She was beloved for her vocal intensity and smouldering tone. Her autobiography “I Never Walked Alone”, published in 2003, is a great book outlining the struggles and victories of a career in opera.
The few times that I had the fortune of hearing her sing in person are precious memories. I loved her recording of Orpheus and Euricide by Gluck, but it was her blending with Monserrat Caballe in recording that moved me most. Truly, I wore this record out! Her film of Meyerbeer’s L’Africaine is spectacular also.
If you lack familiarity with this great artist, the internet is filled with details of her singing and life. Her legacy is rich and will keep her fans comforted for as long as there is opera history.
