Leona Mitchell facts for kids
Leona Pearl Mitchell, born on October 13, 1949, in Enid, Oklahoma, is a famous American opera singer. She is known for her powerful and beautiful voice, called a "spinto soprano" in the opera world. For 18 seasons, she was a leading singer at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, one of the most famous opera houses in the world.
Leona Mitchell has received many special awards in her home state of Oklahoma. 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 doctorates from Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma. In 1983, she was welcomed into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame.
Her hometown of Enid has a street named after her, Leona Mitchell Boulevard. There is also a special place called the Leona Mitchell Southern Heights Heritage Center and Museum. Oklahoma's Governor Brad Henry even named her the state's Cultural Ambassador, recognizing her as a representative of Oklahoma's arts and culture.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Leona Mitchell started 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. Her mother, Dr. Pearl Olive Mitchell, played the piano. Leona was the tenth of their 15 children.
She studied music at Oklahoma City University, where she earned a bachelor's degree. Her teacher there was Inez Silberg. Later, she continued her advanced music studies at the Juilliard School of Music in New York. Leona Mitchell married Elmer Bush III, and they have one son, Elmer Bush IV.
A Journey to the Metropolitan Opera
Leona Mitchell made her first big opera appearance in 1973. She sang the role of Micaela in Georges Bizet's opera Carmen with the San Francisco Opera. Two years later, on December 15, 1975, she made her debut at the famous Metropolitan Opera in New York City, singing the same role.
She also sang the role 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." This was a huge achievement in her career.
Leona Mitchell has made several recordings and appeared on television many times. She also served as an honorary chair for Black Heritage Month for the Oklahoma legislature, helping to celebrate important cultural history.
In 1987, she 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.
For 18 seasons, Leona Mitchell was a leading soprano at the Metropolitan Opera. She sang in many of the world's most famous opera houses. Some of her well-known roles included Turandot, Aida, Micaela, Manon, Leonora, Amalia, Delilah, Mimi, and Musetta. She also performed as Pamina in The Magic Flute, the title role in Madama Butterfly, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, and Madame Lidoine in Dialogues of the Carmelites.
Performing for Presidents and the World
Leona Mitchell had the honor of performing for five United States Presidents: Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George H. W. Bush. She also performed for many other important people, including Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, and Bishop Desmond Tutu.
On July 5, 1986, she performed in a special concert with the New York Philharmonic. This event celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. It was shown live on ABC Television from Central Park. She sang a beautiful opera 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 even appeared in productions with each of the famous "Three Tenors." She sang in Ernani with Luciano Pavarotti, Turandot with Plácido Domingo, and Carmen with José Carreras.
Leona Mitchell also appeared on popular television shows. These included The Merv Griffin Show, The Dick Cavett Show, and The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.
Leona Mitchell's Legacy in Recordings and TV
You can find Leona Mitchell's performances on several recordings.
- The Metropolitan Opera Centennial Gala, Deutsche Grammophon DVD, 00440-073-4538, 2009
- Puccini: Turandot / Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Grammophon DVD, 073-058-9, 1989
See also
In Spanish: Leona Mitchell para niños
