George Shirley facts for kids
George Irving Shirley was born on April 18, 1934. He is a famous American opera singer, known as a tenor. 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, earning a special degree in music education in 1955.
After college, he joined the Army. He became the first Black member of the United States Army Chorus. This was a big step! He was also the first African American person hired to teach music in high schools in Detroit.
Singing Career
George Shirley continued to study singing. He then moved to New York to start his professional career as a singer. His first big performance was in 1959 in Woodstock, New York. He sang the role of Eisenstein in an opera called Die Fledermaus.
His first performance in Europe was in Italy. He sang the role of Rodolfo in Puccini's La bohème.
Making History at the Metropolitan Opera
In 1960, when he was 26, George Shirley won a scholarship from the National Arts Club. The next year, he won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. He was the first Black singer to win this award.
George Shirley became the first Black tenor to sing main roles at the Metropolitan Opera. He was also the second Black man to do so. He performed there for 11 seasons, which is a long time!
Performances Around the World
Mr. Shirley sang in many famous opera houses around the world. These include:
- The Royal Opera in London
- The Deutsche Oper Berlin
- The Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires
- The Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam
- The New York City Opera
He also performed with many orchestras in the United States and Europe. He has sung more than 80 different roles in operas!
Teaching Music
Besides singing, George Shirley also taught music. He was a professor at the University of Maryland from 1980 to 1987. Then, he moved to the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. There, he led the Vocal Arts Division. He is now a special professor of music and still teaches students at the school.
Awards and Special Recognition
George Shirley has received many awards for his amazing talent.
- In 1968, he won a Grammy Award. This was for his singing in Mozart's opera Così fan tutte.
- He has taught many young singers at the Aspen Music Festival and School.
- He also created radio shows about classical music and African-American artists.
- Several universities have given him honorary degrees. These are special awards that recognize his achievements.
- In 2013, he was named a Signature Sinfonian by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. This award celebrates great accomplishments in his field.
- One of his highest honors came in 2015. US President Barack Obama gave him the National Medal of Arts.
- 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.
Recordings
George Shirley has recorded many operas and classical 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
