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The black American soprano, Felicia Weathers, studied voice at the Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington with St. Leger, Charles Kullman, and Manski, but continued her course of study in Europe.
Felicia Weathers made her opera debut in Kiel (AMG) or Zürich (Baker's) in 1961. In 1963 she made her first appearance at the Hamburg State Opera, and subsequently was a regular member there from 1966 to 1970. The majority of her career was centered in Germany. She recorded for the German branch of Decca. She did sing for the Chicago Lyric Opera in the 1960's, appeared in roles at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London (England) in 1970, and made her Metropolitan Opera debut in New York in 1965. She made appearances in Zürich (Switzerland), Vienna (Austria), Munich, Berlin, Hamburg (Germany), Paris (France), Oslo (Norway), Copenhagen (Denmark), Stockholm (Sweden) and Milan’s La Scala (Italy). She also is a worldwide renowned recitalist and concert singer.
One of her very avid supporters was the renowned conductor Herbert von Karajan. Felicia Weathers was world acclaimed in the leading roles of Salome by R. Strauss, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni by Mozart, Elisabeth in Don Carlos by Verdi, Aida by Verdi, Madame Butterfly by Puccini and many others.
Felicia Weathers is recipient of many international awards. For instance for her outstanding achievements in Italy, she was awarded with the "Il Sagittario d'Oro". From the hands of the Norwegian King Harald she receievd a National Award for her dedicated work for the Norwegian country. February 13 of every year has been made "Felicia Weathers Day" by the city of Indianapolis, Indiana (USA). In Germany she received the "Deutscher Schallplattenpreis". Most recently, she was recipient of the 2011 NOA Award "Lift every voice".
Felicia Weathers has remained active in German-speaking lands since the early 1970’s, as a teacher, recitalist, and as a popular celebrity. Her last performance in opera was in 1999 in Germany. Here she sang the role of Chrysothemis in Elektra by R. Strauss. Since then she sings in concerts and dedicates her professional experience in being a voice and vocal technique teacher.
As a director Felicia Weathers directed Madame Butterfly by Puccini for the Ebony National Opera in New York City, New York (USA) and for the Heidelberg Oper (Germany). She directed Il trovatore in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) and Porgy and Bess in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). |
