Chicago’s premiere singer dies, 91
RIPThe soprano Elsa Charlston, renowned for her commitment to new works, has died in her hometown. After a career in chamber music as a mezzo, Elsa hit the high register as she hit 40, touring Europe with Lukas Foss’s ‘Time Cycle,’ Oliver Knussen’s ‘Rosenkranz Lieder’ and Luciano Berio’s ‘O Re’.
She premiered David del Tredici’s ‘Adventures Underground’ with the BBC Symphony, sang Lulu at Santa Fe and performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Solti and Giulini.Her second husband was the composer Ralph Shapey.
Bruce Duffie interview here.
You have to admire her.
Not only did she marry Ralph Shapey, she took it upon herself to perform his God awful music.