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Barbara HendrixOpera singer
Date of Birth: 20.11.1948
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Barbara Hendricks
- Operatic Career
- Achievements
- Chamber Music and Collaboration
- Humanitarian Work
- Awards and Recognition
- Personal Life
Biography of Barbara Hendricks
Early Life and EducationBarbara Hendricks, an African-American singer, was born in Arkansas, USA. She received her musical education and a Bachelor's degree in Music from the Juilliard School in New York, where she studied alongside mezzo-soprano Jennie Tourel. Prior to that, she completed a full course in Mathematics and Chemistry at the University of Nebraska, earning a Bachelor's degree in Science at the age of twenty.
Operatic Career
Hendricks made her American and European operatic debuts in 1974 at the San Francisco Opera and the Glyndebourne Festival. Since then, she has performed in all major opera houses worldwide, including the Paris Opera, Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, and La Scala. Her debut role in Berlin, Vienna, Hamburg, and Munich was the character of Susanna in Mozart's opera "The Marriage of Figaro," as well as other roles she performed under the direction of renowned conductor Karl Böhm. With over 20 opera roles in her active repertoire, Hendricks has recorded 12 of them.
Achievements
Hendricks' achievements extend beyond the opera stage. She made her debut in the film opera "La Bohème" as Mimi and participated in the award-winning film opera "Life with an Idiot" as Anna Trulove. She has also served as a jury member at the Cannes International Film Festival under the chairmanship of David Cronenberg. Hendricks is recognized as one of the leading and most active solo performers of her generation, with a diverse repertoire that includes German Lieder, French, American, and Scandinavian music.
Chamber Music and Collaboration
Hendricks regularly participates in chamber music festivals and organizes them with her friends who share her passion. She collaborates with various renowned pianists and accompanists such as Dmitry Alexeev, Michel Béroff, Yefim Bronfman, Mikhail Dalberto, Radu Lupu, Ralf Gothoni, Maria João Pires, Roland Pöntinen, Staffan Scheja, András Schiff, and Peter Serkin. Her recordings with these pianists are highly acclaimed.
Humanitarian Work
In addition to her musical career, Hendricks has been actively involved in humanitarian work. She has been appointed as a lifelong Honorary Ambassador of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Hendricks has been recognized for her efforts in supporting peace and reconciliation in conflict-ridden areas. She established the Barbara Hendricks Foundation for Reconciliation and Peace to prevent conflicts and promote lasting peace in regions affected by conflicts.
Awards and Recognition
Hendricks has received numerous awards for her artistic achievements and humanitarian work. She has been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Leuven in Belgium, the University of Dundee in Scotland, and Wesleyan University in Nebraska. In recognition of her contributions to the arts, she has been honored with the titles of "Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres" by the French government and "Chevalier of the Legion of Honor" by President François Mitterrand. Hendricks has also received the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts and the International Lions Club Award for her philanthropic activities.
Personal Life
Hendricks has been a Swedish citizen since 1977 and currently resides in Europe. She is a mother of a son and a daughter.
