Clamma Dale facts for kids

Clamma Churita Dale, born in 1948, is a famous American opera singer. She is known for her powerful soprano voice. One of her most famous roles was "Bess" in the opera Porgy and Bess. This show was a huge success on Broadway. Clamma Dale won a Drama Desk Award and was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance. She also won a Grammy Award in 1978 for the Porgy and Bess soundtrack.

Clamma Dale's Early Life and Education

Clamma Dale was born and grew up in Chester, Pennsylvania. Her father was a jazz musician. He taught her a lot about music from a young age. She learned to play many instruments. These included the clarinet, cello, saxophone, piano, and guitar. She also sang in her school choir.

Clamma studied music at the Settlement Music School. She then went to the famous Juilliard School. She earned her first music degree there in 1970. Later, she earned her master's degree from Juilliard in 1975.

Clamma Dale's Amazing Career

After finishing school, Clamma Dale worked as a first-grade music teacher. She taught in Brooklyn. Soon, her singing career began to take off.

Starting Her Opera Journey

Clamma made her first professional opera appearance in 1973. She played St. Teresa I in Four Saints in Three Acts. This show was put on by the Metropolitan Opera. In 1974, she first played "Bess" in Porgy and Bess. This was at the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera.

In 1975, Clamma won a big music competition. It was the Walter W. Naumburg Foundation's contest. This led to her first New York City concert. She performed at Town Hall in May 1976.

Joining the New York City Opera

Also in 1975, she signed a three-year contract. This was with the New York City Opera (NYCO). She made her NYCO debut in October 1975. She played Antonia in Les Contes d'Hoffmann. She returned to the NYCO many times. She played roles like the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro. She also played Nedda in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci.

Porgy and Bess Success

Clamma Dale became very famous in 1976. This was for her role as "Bess" in Porgy and Bess. She performed with the Houston Grand Opera. This production was a huge hit. It moved to Broadway in 1976 and 1977.

For her amazing performance, she won an award. It was the 1977 Drama Desk Award. She was named Outstanding Actress in a musical. She also received a Tony Award nomination. In 1977, she sang with the New York Philharmonic. This was for the first performance of Leonard Bernstein's Songfest. In 1978, she won a Grammy Award. This was for Best Opera Performance for the Porgy and Bess soundtrack.

International Performances

In 1980, Clamma sang at a special concert. It celebrated the 35th anniversary of the United Nations. Later that year, she sang in France. She played Giulietta and Antonia in Les Contes d'Hoffmann. This was her first time at the Opéra national du Rhin. She also sang Nedda in Philadelphia. She performed in Bogotá, Colombia. There, she sang the main role in Aida and Leonora in Il Trovatore.

In 1983, Clamma Dale performed in Paris. This was at the Opéra National de Paris. She played Fata Morgana in The Love for Three Oranges. For several years, she worked in Paris opera houses. She sang roles like Liu in Puccini's Turandot. She also played Musetta in Puccini's La bohème. Other roles included Pamina in The Magic Flute. She also played the challenging main role in Erzsebet.

In 1986, she appeared at the Opéra national de Lorraine. In 1988, she sang "Bess" again. This was for her first performance in Berlin. The next year, she played Liu in Berlin.

Concerts and Special Events

Clamma Dale has given many concerts. She performed at Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall. She even appeared at the White House. This was for a Gershwin evening in 1978. In 1991, she sang a new song. It was called Time for Remembrance. She sang it with the Honolulu Symphony. This was to remember the 50th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Clamma Dale's Personal Life

Clamma Dale married Terry Shirk in 1981. He passed away in 1987.

Recordings

• Porgy and Bess with the Houston Grand Opera, 1990 RCA Victor.
• Virgil Thomson's Four Saints in Three Acts, 1992 Nonesuch.
• Voice Of Bernstein, 2005 Deutsche Grammophon.