Caterina Jarboro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Caterina Jarboro
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 24, 1898 Wilmington, North Carolina |
| Died | August 13, 1986 (aged 88) Manhattan, New York City |
| Genres | Opera |
| Associated acts | Alfredo Salmaggi |
Caterina Jarboro (born July 24, 1898 – died August 13, 1986) was a pioneering American opera singer. She made history as the first Black female opera singer to perform with a major opera company. This happened 22 years before Marian Anderson's famous debut at the Metropolitan Opera.
Contents
Who Was Caterina Jarboro?
Early Life and Family
Caterina Jarboro was born in 1898 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Her birth name was Katherine (Katie) Lee Yarborough. Her father, John, was African-American, and her mother, Annie, was Native-American. She grew up with at least four brothers and sisters. Her family raised her in the Catholic faith. She was baptized at St Thomas Church in her hometown.
Starting Her Music Journey
Caterina studied music in North Carolina and later in New York. She first performed in musical theater shows. These included Shuffle Along and Running Wild by James P. Johnson. In 1930, she began her opera career. Her first opera role was in Verdi's famous opera, Aida. She performed this in Milan, Italy, at the Puccini Theatre.
Breaking Barriers in Opera
A Historic Performance
In 1933, Caterina Jarboro made history. An opera producer named Alfredo Salmaggi hired her. She was to sing with his opera company at the New York Hippodrome. She performed the main role in Verdi's Aida. This was a huge moment for opera. It happened 22 years before Marian Anderson's well-known debut at the Metropolitan Opera.
First Black Female Lead Singer
Caterina Jarboro was the first Black female opera singer to perform a main role. She sang with a company that was otherwise all white in America. (A Black male singer, Jules Bledsoe, had sung a role in Aida in 1932). This important achievement was recognized by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. After this, Caterina performed in many other operas across Europe. One of her roles was Sélika in Meyerbeer's L'Africaine.
Later Career and Legacy
Returning to the United States
Caterina Jarboro came back to the United States in 1941. She gave many concerts, including at the Town Hall in 1942. She also performed at Carnegie Hall in 1944. The New York Metropolitan Opera Association invited her to join. However, they changed their minds when they learned she was not Italian, but Afro-Indian. She was denied membership at that time.
Retirement and Final Years
After a long and successful career, Caterina Jarboro retired in 1955. She later received a second invitation to join the Metropolitan Opera. However, she chose to decline it. She passed away on August 13, 1986, in Manhattan. She was believed to be 88 years old. At the time of her death, her siblings Joseph Yarborough and Anna Gayle were still alive.
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Caterina Jarboro, a pioneering opera singer.
