Death of Met soprano, 73
RIPThe international soprano Carmen Balthrop who was nurtured at the Met has died at 73.
Her career took her to all the major US stages as well as Deutsche Oper Berlin, and Teatro La Fenice.
At the time of her death she was professor of voice at the University of Maryland.
Norman, what makes a “Met soprano”? Balthrop sang a grand total of TWO 1977 performances as Pamina, in English, at student matinees sponsored by the Opera Guild in the house at Lincoln Center. She sang it on the annual spring tour three more times, in Boston, Atlanta, and at Wolf Trap Farm Park outside Washington, D.C.
Saddened to read this. The Univ of Maryland Music School reported that she died after a year of dealing with cancer. She had a gorgeous and rich soprano voice, and a wonderful career singing and and as an educator.
Carmen Balthrop also sang in the first U.S. performance of Monteverdi’s “Il Ritorno d’Ulisse…” That was in 1974 here in Washington D.C.
She sang the role of Minerva, in a cast that included Frederica Von Stade, Richard Stilwell, Donald Gramm and Joyce Castle. The conductor was Alexander Gibson, not yet knighted.
She will be deeply missed. Her Memorial Service here in DC was fit for a queen! The music was simply exquisite, with the faculty, students and alumni providing the extended prelude. The liturgy was threaded together with the Faure Requiem.