39 Facts About Harolyn Blackwell

Harolyn Blackwell was born on November 23,1955 and is an American lyric coloratura soprano who has performed in many of the world's finest opera houses, concert halls, and theaters in operas, oratorios, recitals, and Broadway musicals.

Harolyn Blackwell has periodically returned to musical theater performances throughout her career in staged productions, concert work, and recitals.

Harolyn Blackwell is known for her interpretations and recordings of the works of Leonard Bernstein.

Harolyn Blackwell was born in Washington, DC on November 23,1955, the eldest of five children.

Harolyn Blackwell's father, Harold Blackwell, was a redevelopment specialist with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, DC for many years, and her mother taught physical education and health at the University of the District of Columbia.

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Harolyn Blackwell first became interested in music through the influence of her fourth grade teacher, Nancy Notargiacomo, who eventually became her voice and piano teacher when she was 10.

Harolyn Blackwell attended Catholic University where she majored in vocal music education and spent time in activities and classes related to the University's drama and musical theater programs.

Harolyn Blackwell graduated with a Masters in Vocal Performance in 1980.

In 1979, while preparing a recital program for her master's degree, Harolyn Blackwell auditioned for the Broadway revival of West Side Story.

Harolyn Blackwell said, "I learned about characterization, how you went about becoming that person", she said.

Coincidentally, Harolyn Blackwell met and befriended Grist in 1985 when she coached Harolyn Blackwell for her European debut as Oscar in Verdi's Un ballo in maschera with the Hamburg State Opera.

Harolyn Blackwell repeated that role the following year at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

In 1981, Harolyn Blackwell auditioned for and was accepted into both the Houston Grand Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago young artist programs.

Harolyn Blackwell went on to win the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 1983.

Up to this point Harolyn Blackwell was still uncertain as to whether she would continue pursuing an opera career or go back to musical theater.

Harolyn Blackwell has appeared several more times with the Metropolitan Opera in productions such as Un ballo in maschera, Le nozze di Figaro, Die Fledermaus, and Werther among others.

The recording won a Grammy Award and Harolyn Blackwell performed the aria "Summertime" at the 1990 Grammy Awards.

In 1991, Harolyn Blackwell made her debut with the San Francisco Opera as Zerlina in Mozart's Don Giovanni.

Harolyn Blackwell appeared on Great Performances again in 1993 in the concert Sondheim — A Celebration at Carnegie Hall where she performed music from Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd.

In 1994 Harolyn Blackwell replaced Kathleen Battle as Marie in La fille du regiment at the Metropolitan Opera for the entire run when Battle was fired from the production for unprofessional conduct.

Harolyn Blackwell first worked with the company in 1990 in the role of Marie in La fille du regiment.

Harolyn Blackwell has sung Norina in Donizetti's Don Pasquale, Gilda in Verdi's Rigoletto, and Olympia in Les contes d'Hoffman with the company among other roles.

In 1997 Harolyn Blackwell returned to Broadway to star as Cunegonde in Bernstein's Candide.

Harolyn Blackwell had previously recorded several other works by Bernstein the year before on her solo album Harolyn Blackwell Sings Bernstein that was released on the RCA label.

Harolyn Blackwell has performed in many acclaimed concert series and given many lauded recitals over the years.

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Harolyn Blackwell has performed at London's Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, The San Francisco Performance Series at the Herbst Theatre, the Morgan Library, the Kennedy Center, and the Ambassador Foundation Performing Arts Series in Los Angeles.

In 1999 Harolyn Blackwell was invited to perform at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II's 80th birthday.

Harolyn Blackwell has always seen herself as an educator as well as an opera singer, partly because of her roots as a music teacher.

For many years, Harolyn Blackwell participated in a program called the "Affiliate Artists" where she went into the community and talked to people one-on-one to educate them about and inspire interest in opera.

Harolyn Blackwell taught master classes at the school for four years.

Harolyn Blackwell has been invited as a guest instructor at several universities and conservatories throughout the United States.

Harolyn Blackwell currently teaches on the voice faculties of Manhattan School of Music, Barnard College and New York University.

Harolyn Blackwell has been married to businessman Peter Greer since 1991.

At the beginning of her career, Harolyn Blackwell played mostly soubrette roles and has since moved more into the lyric coloratura soprano repertoire.

Harolyn Blackwell has commented that she felt opera houses were initially uncertain as to how to cast her because of her musical theater background.

However, it took some time before Harolyn Blackwell felt her voice was ready to tackle these coloratura roles.

Harolyn Blackwell has remarked that her own voice has gone through periods of change.

Harolyn Blackwell sang with a satisfying lyricism, and her "Summertime" was mesmerizing.

Harolyn Blackwell is a recipient of numerous awards and honors, one of which provided her the opportunity to study in Italy with Renata Tebaldi and Carlo Bergonzi.