Anne McKnight facts for kids
Anne McKnight (born July 24, 1924 – died August 29, 2012) was a talented singer who performed in opera. She was known as an operatic soprano, which means she sang the highest parts in operas.
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Anne McKnight's Life and Career
Anne McKnight was born in Aurora, Illinois. She finished her studies at Shimer College in 1943.
Early Performances
Anne McKnight started her professional singing career in 1946. Her first big performance was in an opera called La bohème. She sang the role of Musetta. This performance was with the NBC Symphony and famous singers like Licia Albanese and Jan Peerce. A very famous conductor, Arturo Toscanini, led the orchestra.
Two years later, she sang in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. This was also conducted by Toscanini.
Singing in New York
In 1952, Anne McKnight became a lead singer at the New York City Opera. She performed in the main role of the opera Tosca. After that, she sang the main part in Aïda. Both of these operas were conducted by Tullio Serafin.
In 1953, she returned to the New York City Opera. She sang in Tosca again, and also in Don Giovanni. In Don Giovanni, she played Donna Elvira. She also performed in Aïda once more. Other operas she sang in included Der Rosenkavalier and Le nozze di Figaro.
Career in Italy
After her success in New York, Anne McKnight moved to Italy. There, she used the stage name Anna de Cavalieri. She performed in many famous Italian opera houses.
- She sang at the Teatro di San Carlo.
- She also performed at the famous Teatro alla Scala.
- Other places included the Rome Opera and the Arena di Verona.
Return to America
In 1960, Anne McKnight came back to the City Opera in New York. She used her original name, Anne McKnight, again. She performed in the first professional American show of an opera called Il prigioniero. She sang alongside Norman Treigle and Richard Cassilly. This performance was conducted by Leopold Stokowski. Later that season, she sang the Marschallin role again.
International Performances
Anne McKnight continued her singing career around the world. She performed in many cities, including:
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (in Turandot and Tosca)
- Piacenza and Rovigo in Italy
- Brussels, Belgium
- Toulouse, France (in Norma)
- Padua, Italy (in Tosca in 1968)
Anne McKnight passed away on August 29, 2012. She was eighty-eight years old and living in Lugano, Switzerland.
Recordings
Anne McKnight's performances were captured in recordings.
Audio Recordings
- Puccini: La bohème (with Albanese, Peerce; Toscanini, 1946) RCA
- Dallapiccola: Il prigioniero (with Cassilly, Treigle; Stokowski, 1960) Opera Depot
Video Recordings
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 (with Hobson, Dillon, Scott; Toscanini, 1948) RCA
