Kathleen Battle
Kathleen Battle
Kathleen Deanna Battleis an American operatic light lyric soprano known for her distinctive vocal range and tone. Born in Portsmouth, Ohio, Battle initially became known for her work within the concert repertoire through performances with major orchestras during the early and mid-1970s. She made her opera debut in 1975. Battle expanded her repertoire into lyric soprano and coloratura soprano roles during the 1980s and early 1990s until her eventual dismissal from the Metropolitan Opera in 1994. After a 22-year absence...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionOpera Singer
Date of Birth13 August 1948
CityPortsmouth, OH
CountryUnited States of America
I'm a consumer as well as a performer. Among my leisure-time activities is going to the theater. I'm very interested in that.
From the spiritual came the blues, gospel, and rhythm-and-blues. I heard all of that music growing up, and that has influenced how I approached classical music. I'm sure of it.
People are drawn to the spiritual. It has a universal appeal.
I sing what I sing. And that's recitals and orchestra concerts. To appease - no, that's not the right word - let's say to satisfy - any opera urgings that my public has, I'll put in an aria.
I think for more than half of my career, I have refrained from talking to the media.
Some of the things that have been the most meaningful to me have been experiences I've shared with my family.
When I do concerts and recitals, the two most common requests are spirituals and opera.
Wynton and Christopher were really great experiences for me because they are both very gifted artists.