[Camilla
Williams]
The
legendary soprano, Camilla Williams died at the age of 92. An alumna
of Virginia State College (now university) Williams, even before
contralto Marian Anderson was the first black woman to sing a major
role with an American opera company.
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“VSU Alumna Soprano Camilla Williams dead at
92
Feb
01, 2012
-
Patrick D. McCoy expresses his deepest sympathy to the family
of the soprano Camilla Williams who died at the age of 92. Ms.
Williams was the first black woman to sing a major role with an
American opera company and the first black professor of voice at
Indiana University at Bloomington.
"'As a music major at
Virginia State University, there was not a time that we, as students
were not reminded of the accomplishments of our great music alumni,
especially the late jazz great Dr. Billy Taylor and now soprano
Camilla Williams. Our choir director Johnnella L. Edmonds always
took time to speak of those singers who sometimes are often
overlooked, but had extraordinary careers such as Ms. Williams and
soprano Reri Grist.' McCoy remembered fondly.
“Interestingly,
the New York City Opera debut of Camilla Williams in the title role
of 'Madame Butterly' came nine years before Marian Anderson's debut
at The Metropolitan Opera. 'It is so sad that the great works of
artists such as Ms. Williams are only brought completely to the fore
when they die. I am literally ashamed of myself for not diving deep
into the recesses of this extraordinary life once lived. To not even
know that she sang directly before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I
Have a Dream" speech and was a musical drum major for justice
through her work during the Civil Rights movement grieves me.' McCoy
said.”
PRESS COVERAGE OF MS. WILLIAMS'
DEATH:
BBC:
THE
WASHINGTON
POST:
RECENT FOOTAGE ON
YOUTUBE:
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