Lawrence Winters facts for kids

Lawrence Winters (born Lawrence Lafayette Whisonant; November 15, 1915 – September 24, 1965) was an American opera singer. He was a bass-baritone, which means he had a deep singing voice. Lawrence Winters had a busy career around the world from the mid-1940s to the mid-1960s. He was one of the first black opera singers to become widely successful. He helped break down racial barriers in the opera world. He started his opera career at the New York City Opera in 1946. At that time, the NYCO was one of the few American opera companies that hired black artists. He sang many different roles there until 1955. After that, he mostly performed in Europe until he passed away at age 50.

His Life and Career

Lawrence Winters began studying singing privately in Salisbury, North Carolina. In 1941, he went to Howard University. There, he studied singing with Todd Duncan. After graduating in 1944 with a music degree, he joined the Eva Jessye Choir. Soon after, he sang the main role in a concert of Ouanga by Clarence Cameron White. He then became a music director for the United States Armed Forces at Fort Huachuca.

After World War II, Winters moved to New York City in 1946. He quickly got a role in the Broadway musical Call Me Mister. He played several smaller parts in this show. His first solo concert was in 1947 at Town Hall in New York.

Opera Debut and Early Roles

In 1948, Lawrence Winters made his opera debut with the New York City Opera (NYCO). He sang the role of Amonasro in Verdi's Aida. Over the next seven years, he performed many more roles with the NYCO. These included Dessalines in Troubled Island (1949) and Escamillo in Carmen (1949). He also played the four villains in The Tales of Hoffmann (1949).

Other important roles at NYCO included Tonio in Pagliacci (1950) and Timur in Turandot (1950). He sang the main role in Verdi's Rigoletto (1951). In 1952, he was King Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors. He also played the title role in Bluebeard's Castle (1953). In 1954, he was Joe in Show Boat. His last roles with NYCO in this period were Germont in La Traviata and Diomede in Troilus and Cressida (both 1955).

International Performances

While working with the NYCO, Winters also toured as a concert artist. He performed in operas with companies in Europe. In 1949, he visited Europe for the first time. He received great praise for a concert he gave in Berlin. He also gave concert tours in Central America and the United States Virgin Islands.

In 1950, he joined the Royal Swedish Opera as a main baritone. He sang many roles there for two seasons. In 1951, he sang the role of Porgy. This was opposite Camilla Williams as Bess. It was for the most complete recording of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess made at that time. He first performed with the Hamburg State Opera in 1952. He sang his role in Aida again. He returned to Hamburg often until 1957. In 1957, he sang opera parts in concert with the New York Philharmonic.

Later Career and Achievements

In 1957, Winters became a main baritone at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. He spent most of his time performing operas there until 1961. During these years, he also sang many roles with the Vienna State Opera and the San Francisco Opera. These roles included the main part in Die Kluge, Amonasro, and Wolfram in Tannhäuser.

In February 1960, he returned to Broadway. He played Tyree Tucker in the play The Long Dream. This was one of the few non-singing roles he had. Winters was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance. He returned for one last performance at the NYCO in 1962. He played the role of Porgy again. He went back to the Hamburg State Opera in 1961. He worked as a main baritone with the company until his early death in 1965. Lawrence Winters is buried at the Ohlsdorf Cemetery.

Family Life

Lawrence Whisonant married Aida C. Bearden on June 9, 1943, in Manhattan. She was born in 1917 and passed away in 2007. Aida was a first cousin of the famous artist Romare Bearden. Romare Bearden was the son of journalist Bessye J. Bearden. Aida's mother was Anna Elizabeth Miller. Through her mother's first marriage, Aida was also the half-sister of artist Charles Alston.