Leona Mitchell facts for kids
Leona Pearl Mitchell (born October 13, 1949, in Enid, Oklahoma) is a famous American opera singer. She is known for her powerful voice, called a "spinto soprano." Leona Mitchell sang for 18 seasons at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, which is one of the most famous opera houses in the world.
In her home state of Oklahoma, Leona Mitchell has received many special awards. These include being honored in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. She also received special honorary doctorates from Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma. In 1983, she was recognized in the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame.
Her hometown of Enid has a street named after her, called Leona Mitchell Boulevard. There is also a museum in her honor, the Leona Mitchell Southern Heights Heritage Center and Museum. The Governor of Oklahoma, Brad Henry, even named her Oklahoma's State Cultural Ambassador, which means she represents the state's culture.
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Leona Mitchell's Early Life and Education
Leona Mitchell began singing when she was very young. She sang in the choir at the Antioch Church of God in Christ in Enid. Her father, Reverend Dr. Hulon Mitchell, was the minister there, and her mother, Dr. Pearl Olive Mitchell, played the piano. Leona was the tenth of her parents' 15 children.
She studied music at Oklahoma City University and earned a bachelor's degree. Her teacher there was Inez Silberg. After that, Leona Mitchell continued her studies at the Juilliard School of Music in New York, a very well-known music school. She married Elmer Bush III and they have one son, Elmer Bush IV.
Leona Mitchell's Amazing Opera Career
Leona Mitchell started her professional singing career in 1973. Her first big role was Micaela in Georges Bizet's opera Carmen with the San Francisco Opera. She then made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on December 15, 1975, singing the same role.
She was also the voice of Bess in the very first complete recording of George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess. For this recording, she won a Grammy Award for "Best Opera Recording."
Leona Mitchell has made several recordings and appeared on many television shows. She also helped lead Black Heritage Month celebrations for the Oklahoma legislature.
In 1988, Mitchell performed the role of Liù in the opera Turandot at the Metropolitan Opera. This production was directed by the famous Franco Zeffirelli. She worked with many great conductors, including Zubin Mehta, Lorin Maazel, James Levine, and Seiji Ozawa.
She was a main soprano singer at the Metropolitan Opera in New York for 18 seasons. She sang in many of the world's most famous opera houses. Some of her well-known roles include Turandot, Aida, Micaela, Mimi, and Musetta. She also sang in operas like The Magic Flute, Madama Butterfly, and Dialogues of the Carmelites.
Leona Mitchell has performed for five U.S. Presidents: Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George H. W. Bush. She has also performed for many other important people, such as Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and Bishop Desmond Tutu.
On July 5, 1986, she performed with the New York Philharmonic orchestra to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. This concert was shown live on ABC Television from Central Park. She sang a beautiful song called "Un bel dì vedremo" from Puccini's Madama Butterfly. She also sang the American spiritual song "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." She performed with each of the famous "Three Tenors": Ernani with Luciano Pavarotti, Turandot with Plácido Domingo, and Carmen with José Carreras.
She appeared on popular TV shows like The Merv Griffin Show, The Dick Cavett Show, and The Jerry Lewis Telethon.
Leona Mitchell's Recorded Performances
- The Metropolitan Opera Centennial Gala, Deutsche Grammophon DVD, 00440-073-4538, 2009
- Puccini: Turandot / Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Grammonphon DVD, 073-058-9, 1989
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