Rita Shane
Encyclopedia
Rita Shane is a dramatic coloratura soprano. She studied at Barnard College
and under Beverly Peck Johnson, and made her operatic debut as the doll Olympia in Les contes d'Hoffmann, at Chattanooga in 1964. The next year found her appearing with the New York City Opera
, as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni.
Her performance in the 1971 recording of Les Huguenots was described as "borderline astonishing". With the City Opera, Shane went on to sing in Dialogues des Carmélites (as Mme Lidoine), L'amour des trois oranges (as Fata Morgana), Don Giovanni (now as Donna Anna) and Die Zauberflöte (Queen of Night). The soprano debuted at the Metropolitan Opera
in 1973, as the Queen of Night. Over eight seasons, she also sang in La bohème (as Musetta, Un ballo in maschera (as Oscar), Le siège de Corinthe, La traviata, Lucia di Lammermoor, Le prophète (as Berthe, in John Dexter
's production), and Rigoletto.
She returned to the City Opera in 1979, creating the name part in Argento's Miss Havisham's Fire, and singing in La traviata, as well. Later, she sang Dircé in Médée (in the Italian version) and Giselda in I lombardi alla prima crociata with that company. For the New Orleans Opera
Association, she appeared in La Juive and Les Huguenots. Shane performed in Milan (Teatro alla Scala), Vienna and Munich. At Salzburg, in 1972, she was applauded for her performance in Schönberg's Erwartung, with Michael Gielen
conducting. The soprano has recorded excerpts from Handel's Athalia and Rinaldo.
Since 1989, Shane has been on the faculty of the Eastman School of Music
.
Barnard College
Barnard College is a private women's liberal arts college and a member of the Seven Sisters. Founded in 1889, Barnard has been affiliated with Columbia University since 1900. The campus stretches along Broadway between 116th and 120th Streets in the Morningside Heights neighborhood in the borough...
and under Beverly Peck Johnson, and made her operatic debut as the doll Olympia in Les contes d'Hoffmann, at Chattanooga in 1964. The next year found her appearing with the New York City Opera
New York City Opera
The New York City Opera is an American opera company located in New York City.The company, called "the people's opera" by New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, was founded in 1943 with the aim of making opera financially accessible to a wide audience, producing an innovative choice of repertory, and...
, as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni.
Her performance in the 1971 recording of Les Huguenots was described as "borderline astonishing". With the City Opera, Shane went on to sing in Dialogues des Carmélites (as Mme Lidoine), L'amour des trois oranges (as Fata Morgana), Don Giovanni (now as Donna Anna) and Die Zauberflöte (Queen of Night). The soprano debuted at the Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
in 1973, as the Queen of Night. Over eight seasons, she also sang in La bohème (as Musetta, Un ballo in maschera (as Oscar), Le siège de Corinthe, La traviata, Lucia di Lammermoor, Le prophète (as Berthe, in John Dexter
John Dexter
John Dexter was an English theatre, opera, and film director.- Theatre :Born in Derby, England, Dexter left school at the age of fourteen to serve in the British army during World War II. Following the war, he began working as a stage actor before turning to producing and directing shows for...
's production), and Rigoletto.
She returned to the City Opera in 1979, creating the name part in Argento's Miss Havisham's Fire, and singing in La traviata, as well. Later, she sang Dircé in Médée (in the Italian version) and Giselda in I lombardi alla prima crociata with that company. For the New Orleans Opera
New Orleans Opera
Opera has long been part of the musical culture of New Orleans, Louisiana. Operas have regularly been performed in the city since the 1790s, and for the majority of the city's history since the early 19th century, New Orleans has had a resident company regularly performing opera in addition to...
Association, she appeared in La Juive and Les Huguenots. Shane performed in Milan (Teatro alla Scala), Vienna and Munich. At Salzburg, in 1972, she was applauded for her performance in Schönberg's Erwartung, with Michael Gielen
Michael Gielen
-Professional career:Gielen was born in Dresden, Germany, to opera director Josef Gielen. Through his mother, Rose, he is the nephew of Eduard Steuermann and Salka Steuermann Viertel. He began his career as a pianist in Buenos Aires, where he studied with Erwin Leuchter and gave an early...
conducting. The soprano has recorded excerpts from Handel's Athalia and Rinaldo.
Since 1989, Shane has been on the faculty of the Eastman School of Music
Eastman School of Music
The Eastman School of Music is a music conservatory located in Rochester, New York. The Eastman School is a professional school within the University of Rochester...
.