Maureen Forrester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maureen Forrester
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Maureen Kathleen Stewart Forrester photo taken by Carl Van Vechten
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| Born |
Maureen Kathleen Stewart Forrester
July 25, 1930 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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| Died | June 16, 2010 (aged 79) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1953–1983 |
| Spouse(s) |
Eugene Kash
(m. 1957; div. 1974) |
| Children | 5; including Linda Kash and Daniel Kash |
Maureen Kathleen Stewart Forrester (July 25, 1930 – June 16, 2010) was a famous Canadian singer. She was known as an operatic contralto, which means she had a very deep singing voice, like a low female voice. She was recognized for her amazing talent and received many awards, including the Order of Canada.
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Maureen Forrester's Early Life and Career
Maureen Forrester was born in Montreal, Quebec. She was one of four children. Her father was a cabinetmaker from Scotland, and her mother was from Ireland. Maureen loved to sing from a young age. She sang in church choirs and on the radio.
When she was 13, Maureen left school to help her family. She worked as a secretary at Bell Telephone. After her brother returned from the war, he encouraged her to take singing lessons. She paid for these lessons herself.
Starting Her Singing Journey
In 1951, Maureen appeared on a radio talent show called Opportunity Knocks. She sang a famous song called "Ombra mai fu". She told the host she was a "starving musician" and a part-time switchboard operator. She didn't win first place, but she did well. She also competed on other shows like Singing Stars of Tomorrow.
Maureen gave her first public concert in 1953 at a local YWCA. She then made her big concert debut with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. She sang in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
Becoming a Star
Maureen traveled a lot, performing across Canada and Europe. In 1956, she made her debut in New York City. A famous conductor named Bruno Walter invited her to sing for him. He was looking for a contralto for a special performance and recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection".
This meeting was very important for Maureen. Bruno Walter had worked with Mahler himself. He taught Maureen how to truly understand and perform Mahler's music. She even performed at Walter's last concerts with the New York Philharmonic in 1957.
In 1957, Maureen married Eugene Kash, a violinist and conductor from Toronto. They had five children together. Two of their children, Linda Kash and Daniel Kash, became actors. Maureen also converted to Judaism.
Opera and Other Performances
Maureen performed often in concerts and operas. She sang at the New York City Opera and the famous Metropolitan Opera in New York. She also lent her voice to the character Bianca Castafiore in the TV show The Adventures of Tintin.
She was a big supporter of Canadian composers. She often included their music in her shows, especially when she toured in other countries. For example, a composer named Donald Steven wrote a special piece of music for her. From 1983 to 1988, she was the head of the Canada Council, which supports arts and culture in Canada.
In 1986, Maureen wrote a book about her life called Out of Character. She wrote it with a journalist named Marci McDonald.
Later Life and Legacy
Maureen Forrester passed away on June 16, 2010, in Toronto. She was 79 years old and had been battling dementia for a long time. Her former husband, Eugene Kash, had passed away in 2004. Maureen was survived by her five children.
Awards and Recognition
Maureen Forrester received many honors and awards throughout her life for her incredible contributions to music:
- In 1967, she was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest honors.
- She received honorary doctorates from universities.
- In 1969, she sang the Canadian national anthem at the first Montreal Expos baseball game.
- In 1990, she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. This means she is recognized as one of Canada's greatest musicians.
- In 1995, she received a Governor General's Performing Arts Award.
- In 2000, she received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto.
- In 2003, she was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec.
See also
- Music of Canada
- Canadian Music Hall of Fame
