Florence Quivar

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Florence Quivar (b. March 3, 1944 in Philadelphia, PA) is an American mezzo-soprano opera singer, considered "one of the most prominent...of her generation."[1] She has variously been described as having a "rich, earthy sound and communicative presence" (Mozart's Requiem),[2] as "always reliable"[3] and as "a distinguished singer, with a warm, rich voice and a dignified performing presence."[4]

A graduate of the Philadelphia Academy of Music and one time member of the Juilliard Opera Theatre, Quivar has performed numerous times at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City in such operas as Oedipus Rex, Don Carlo, Luisa Miller, Porgy and Bess and Siegfried among others, although she has stated that she most enjoys recitals. Her Metropolitan début was the role of Marina in Boris Godunov. She has also performed with many of the world's premiere orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Montreal Symphony and the BBC Symphony Orchestra to name just a few.[5] Other notable operatic roles she has performed include Erda from Wagner's Ring Cycle, the title role in Carmen, and Gluck's Orpheus.[6]

Quivar has taken on the task of rescuing the works of forgotten composers, concentrating on those of African American composers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Her stated goal is to "to compile a program of these neglected composers and someday record them."[5] She has also performed in productions of African American composer works, including a 1981 revival of Virgil Thomson's Four Saints.[7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ All Media Guide, LLC (2006). Florence Quivar Allmusic Biography through Google cache. Retrieved on February 8, 2007.
  2. ^ New York Times Company (August 25, 2001). Understated Elegance Spiced With Surprises by Anthony Tommasini. Retrieved on February 8, 2007.
  3. ^ New York Times Company (May 29, 1999). Masur Adds Some Curves To the Angles Of the Missa by Bernard Holland. Retrieved on February 8, 2007.
  4. ^ New York Times Company (July 31, 1998). Classical Music and Dance Guide (various authors). Retrieved on February 8, 2007.
  5. ^ a b Mauro, Lucia (1997). Careers for Stagestruck & Other Dramatic Types. Lincolnwood, Illinois: VGM Career Horizons, Pages 89. ISBN 0844243272. 
  6. ^ Elizabeth Forbes: "Quivar, Florence", Grove Music Online ed L. Macy (Accessed 19 February 2007), grovemusic.com, subscription access.
  7. ^ J. Southern, Eileen (1997). The Music of Black Americans: A History. Lincolnwood, Illinois: W. W. Norton & Company, Pages 448. ISBN 0393038432. 

[edit] See also

CAMI page

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