Bethany Beardslee

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Bethany Beardslee (born December 25, 1927, in Lansing, Michigan) is an American soprano particularly noted for her performances of contemporary classical music.

She trained first in the Music Department of Michigan State College and later did post-graduate work at the Juilliard School.

Her virtuosity is displayed in many recordings of music of the Second Viennese School as well as works written for her, notably Milton Babbitt's Philomel. During the 1950s, she performed world premieres and made historic recordings of music of the Second Viennese School, many with the Camera Concerts under the direction of her first husband Jacques-Louis Monod; and later with the pianist Robert Helps.

In 1956, she married the composer Godfrey Winham. In 1962 she was given the American Composers Alliance Laurel Leaf Award for "distinguished achievement in fostering and encouraging American music."

[edit] References

• Howard Klein, Two Singers Share Unusual Niche, New York Times, June 24, 1962, p. 87. Accessed 28 December 2007 via subscription.
• Kristine Helen Burns, Women and Music in America Since 1900, 2002, Greenwood Press. p. 47. ISBN 1573563080
• David M. Cummings, Who's Who in Classical Music, 2003, Routledge, p. 44. ISBN 185743174X