Willard White facts for kids

Sir Willard Wentworth White (born 10 October 1946) is a famous British opera singer. He was born in Jamaica and is known for his deep, powerful voice, called a bass baritone. He has received special honors like the Order of Merit (OM) and the CBE.

Early Life and Music Journey

Willard White grew up in Kingston, Jamaica. His father worked at the docks, and his mother took care of their home. He went to Excelsior High School, which is also where famous Jamaican poet Louise Bennett-Coverly studied.

He first learned music by listening to the radio. He loved singing along to songs by Nat King Cole. He was also greatly inspired by Paul Robeson, an American singer and civil rights activist. A civil rights activist works to make sure all people have equal rights.

Willard White was one of the first members of The Jamaican Folk Singers. He also trained at the Jamaican School of Music.

A musician named Evelyn Rothwell heard him sing during a visit to Jamaica. She suggested he go to London to study music. But his father bought him a ticket to New York City instead, because it was cheaper.

In New York, he won a scholarship to the Juilliard School. This is a very famous music school. While there, he was chosen by the legendary opera singer Maria Callas to join her special master classes.

A Career on the Opera Stage

In 1971, Willard White made his first big stage appearance. He played the role of Jim in an opera called Huckleberry Finn. A few years later, in 1974, he sang with the New York City Opera.

In 1976, he performed in London for the first time. He sang in an opera called L'incoronazione di Poppea. That same year, he helped make the first full recording of the famous opera Porgy and Bess.

Since then, he has sung in many of the world's most famous opera houses. These include the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Royal Opera House in London. He has also performed at major music festivals like Glyndebourne and Salzburg.

Willard White is known for singing many different types of roles. He performs in operas by famous composers like Mozart, Verdi, and Wagner. He has also explored more modern and unusual operas.

His voice was even featured in the movie Amadeus, which won an Academy Award. Some of his most memorable roles include Mephistopheles in The Damnation of Faust and Porgy in Porgy and Bess.

He has also acted in plays without singing. In 1989, he played the main role in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Othello. In this play, Ian McKellen played Iago. Both this play and the Glyndebourne production of Porgy and Bess were filmed for television.

In 2019, Willard White sang a French song called "Chant des Partisans" at a special event. This event was in Portsmouth, England, to remember the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings during World War II. Many world leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II and Emmanuel Macron, were there.

In 2020, he decided not to sing a song called "Mandalay" at a ceremony. He said the song made him feel uncomfortable.

Even at 74 years old, he continued to perform. In 2021, he sang in a new production of L'incoronazione di Poppea in Vienna. In 2022, he performed in Rigoletto with Opera North.

Awards and Personal Life

In 1977, the first stereo recording of Porgy and Bess, where Willard White sang the role of Porgy, won a Grammy Award. This is a very important music award. He also received the Gold Musgrave Medal from The Institute of Jamaica.

In 1995, he was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE). This is a high honor given by the British monarch. In 2004, he was given the title of Knight Bachelor, which means he is called "Sir Willard White."

In 2000, he received the Jamaican Order of Merit (OM). This is one of the highest honors in Jamaica, given for great achievements in the performing arts. This honor means he can use the title "The Honourable" before his name.

Willard White lives in Lewisham, a part of South East London.

Selected Recordings

• Porgy and Bess with Leona Mitchell and others. This was the first full recording of this opera.
• The Paul Robeson Legacy (2002): A collection of spiritual songs and ballads made famous by Paul Robeson.
• Willard White – A Gala Celebration: Features songs by Carl Davis, Copland, and famous Broadway tunes like "Ol' Man River".
• Porgy and Bess with Cynthia Haymon. This recording was used for the 1993 television show.
• Mozart: Requiem with Barbara Bonney and others.
• Handel: Messiah with Yvonne Kenny and others.
• Dvořák: Rusalka, from a 2012 performance.

See also

In Spanish: Willard White para niños