Barbara Smith Conrad facts for kids

Barbara Smith Conrad (born August 11, 1937 – died May 22, 2017) was a famous American opera singer. She was a mezzo-soprano, which means she had a powerful voice that was lower than a soprano but higher than a contralto. She sang in many important opera houses around the world, like the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Vienna State Opera.

Barbara Conrad was also a dedicated teacher. She helped start and lead a special program for opera singers and taught many students in her own studio. She became well-known in 1957 because of a difficult situation at the University of Texas at Austin. As a student, she was chosen for a main role in an opera. However, because she was African-American and her co-star was white, she was removed from the role. This happened due to pressure from some people in the Texas government. Her story was later told in the film When I Rise.

Barbara's Early Life and Challenges

Barbara Louise Smith was born in 1937. She was the youngest of five children. She grew up in a small town in Texas called Center Point. From a very young age, Barbara loved music. She often sang with her brothers and sisters at their Baptist church.

In 1956, Barbara became one of the first African-American students to attend the University of Texas at Austin. The next year, she was chosen to play Dido, the Queen of Carthage, in the student opera Dido and Aeneas. This was a very important role.

However, some people did not like that an African-American student was cast in a lead role with a white student. A member of the Texas government told the university president to remove Barbara from the part. This happened just two weeks before the show was supposed to open.

Many students and local news outlets spoke out against this decision. Eight other government officials also disagreed. The story even made it into Time magazine, which brought national attention to the issue.

Because of the news, a famous singer named Harry Belafonte offered to pay for Barbara to go to any other school she wanted. But Barbara chose to stay at the University of Texas. She believed in integration, which means bringing people of all races together. She graduated in 1959 with a music degree. Later, she started using her father's first name, Conrad, as her stage name.

Her Amazing Singing Career

Even though Barbara stayed at the University of Texas, Harry Belafonte still helped her after she graduated. He introduced her to important people in New York City. Another famous person, Eleanor Roosevelt, also heard about Barbara's story and helped pay for her expenses.

This was the start of Barbara Conrad's long and successful career. She sang lead roles with many opera companies around the world. These included the Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna State Opera, and the Houston Grand Opera. She also performed with major orchestras like the New York Philharmonic.

Barbara even performed for important leaders. She sang at the White House in 1987 and for Pope John Paul II in New York City in 1995. In 1977, she played the role of another famous singer, Marian Anderson, in a TV movie called Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years.

Barbara as a Teacher

Besides singing, Barbara Conrad was also a dedicated educator. She taught many students in her own private studio. She also gave special classes and workshops for aspiring singers.

She helped create the Wagner Theater Program at the Manhattan School of Music. This program trains singers for challenging opera roles. Barbara served as its vocal director, helping students develop their voices.

The University of Texas, where she faced challenges as a student, now offers a scholarship in her name. They also recognized her as a distinguished former student in 1985.

Her Legacy and Impact

Barbara Smith Conrad passed away on May 22, 2017, at the age of 79. She was buried in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas.

After her death, the president of the University of Texas, Gregory L. Fenves, said that Barbara Conrad was a "trailblazer." He meant she was a pioneer who led the way for others. He said her achievements and strength were a very important part of the university's history.

A journalist named Katharine Baran from Opera Wire also honored Barbara. She wrote that Barbara sang on the most respected stages globally, from the Metropolitan Opera to the Vienna State Opera. She also mentioned that Barbara performed in the famous opera "Porgy and Bess" many times.

The Film When I Rise

Barbara Conrad's life story is featured in a full-length documentary film called When I Rise. The film was produced by James Moll and Michael Rosen and directed by Mat Hames. It was shown on PBS in 2011.

The film was shown at many important festivals:

• WORLD PREMIERE: South by Southwest Film Festival, Austin, Texas (March 2010)
• Dallas International Film Festival, Dallas, Texas (April 2010)
• Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, Toronto, Canada (May 2010)
• Indianapolis International Film Festival (July 2010)
• New York City International Film Festival (August 2010)
• New Orleans Film Festival (October 2010)
• Starz Denver Film Festival (November 2010)
• Santa Barbara International Film Festival (January 2011)
• San Diego Black Film Festival (January 2011)

When I Rise also won several awards:

• Winner: Audience Award Feature - Indianapolis International Film Festival
• Winner: Black Expressions Award - Indianapolis International Film Festival
• Nominee: Music Documentary Award – International Documentary Awards (IDA)
• Winner: Social Justice Award for Documentary Film - The Fund for Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara International Film Festival)

Awards and Honors

Barbara Smith Conrad received many awards and honors throughout her life:

• 1985: Distinguished Alumnus Award - The Ex-Students' Association of The University of Texas
• 1986: Barbara Smith Conrad Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Fine Arts, at The University of Texas at Austin
• 2009: Texas House of Representatives passed a Resolution to Honor Barbara Smith Conrad
• 2011: Texas Medal of Arts Awards – Lifetime Achievement
• 2013: Life Time Achievement Award, National Black History Month in Palm Springs, CA.