George Shirley facts for kids
George Irving Shirley (born April 18, 1934) is a famous American opera singer. He is a tenor, which means he sings high notes. He made history as the first African-American tenor to sing a main role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
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Early Life and Education
George Shirley was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He grew up in Detroit, Michigan. He studied music at Wayne State University, finishing in 1955. After college, he joined the Army. He became the first Black person to be part of the United States Army Chorus. When he left the Army, he was also the first African American hired to teach music in high schools in Detroit.
Singing Career Highlights
After studying singing more, George Shirley moved to New York. He started his career as a professional singer. His first big performance was in 1959 in Woodstock. He sang in an opera called Die Fledermaus. He also sang in Italy for the first time in an opera called La bohème.
In 1960, when he was 26, he won a special scholarship. The next year, he became the first Black singer to win the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. This was a very important competition. George Shirley was the first Black tenor to sing main roles at the Metropolitan Opera. He sang there for 11 seasons, which is a long time!
Shirley also performed in many other famous opera houses around the world. These include:
- The Royal Opera in London
- The Deutsche Oper Berlin in Germany
- The Teatro Colón in Argentina
- The Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam
- The New York City Opera
- The San Francisco Opera
He has sung more than 80 different roles in operas.
Teaching and Mentoring
George Shirley has also been a dedicated teacher. From 1980 to 1987, he taught at the University of Maryland. Then, he moved to the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. There, he became the head of the Vocal Arts Division. He is now a special professor of music and still teaches students at the school. He has helped many young singers learn and grow.
Awards and Special Recognition
George Shirley has received many awards for his amazing career:
- In 1968, he won a Grammy Award. This was for his singing in Mozart's opera Così fan tutte.
- He has taught many young singing teachers through a special program.
- He created radio shows about classical music and African-American artists.
- He has received honorary degrees from several universities.
- In 2013, he was named a "Signature Sinfonian" by his music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. This award honors members who have achieved great things.
- One of his biggest honors came in 2015. He received the National Medal of Arts from US President Barack Obama. This is a very high award for artists.
- In 2016, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Opera Association.
- In 2019, he received the William Warfield Legacy Award. This award recognized his work in helping African-American classical singers.
Discography
George Shirley has recorded many operas and classical music pieces. Here are some of them:
- Cherubini: Mass in D minor (1971)
- Debussy: Pélléas et Mélisande (1969-1970)
- Handel: Ode for St. Cecilia's Day (1986)
- Haydn: Orlando paladino (1976)
- Mozart: Così fan tutte (1967)
- Mozart: Idomeneo (1968)
- Mozart: Requiem (1968)
- Rachmaninov: The Bells (1973)
- R. Strauss: Friedenstag (1989)
- Stravinsky: Oedipus rex (1961)
- Stravinsky: Pulcinella (1965)
- Stravinsky: Renard (1962)
See also
In Spanish: George Shirley para niños
