Eileen Farrell 1920–2002

As much at home in popular repertoire as in classical, the soprano Eileen Farrell was noted for the power and lustre of her voice and an engaging personality. She made her concert debut in 1947, and in 1951 sang the role of Marie in a concert performance of Wozzeck. Her operatic stage debut came in 1956, as Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana, and this was soon followed by Leonara in Il trovatore, Cherubini’s Medea and Gluck’s Alcestis — her Metropolitan debut in 1960. She remained at the Met for five seasons, performing six roles in a total of forty-five performances — including Rezia in Weber’s Oberon and La Gioconda. She also sang Wagner in concert performances, including a memorable recording of Tristan excerpts under Bernstein in 1970. Latterly, she taught voice at Indiana State University and co-authored an autobiography, Can’t help singing.

Eileen Farrell: born Willimantic, 13 February 1920; died Park Ridge, 16 March 2002.