Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Kathleen Battle
Soprano (lyric coloratura)
Born August 13, 1948 in Portsmouth, Ohio, United States (78 years old)
Opera
Kathleen Deanna Battle is an American operatic 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. She later focused on recording and the concert stage. After a 22-year absence from the Met, Battle performed a concert of spirituals at the Metropolitan Opera House in November 2016, and again in May 2024.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
4 Signature Roles3 Principal Houses
Spotlight
Career Trajectory
Kathleen Battle rose to prominence in the 1970s as a soprano of exceptional technical facility and tonal purity, establishing herself as a favorite interpreter of Mozart and the lighter lyric soprano repertoire. Her performances at the Metropolitan Opera, where she became one of the house's most popular artists, showcased a voice of remarkable agility and a stage presence marked by theatrical sophistication. Though her career achieved international recognition and numerous celebrated performances at the world's leading opera houses, her relationship with major institutions would eventually become complicated by professional disagreements that marked the later chapters of her career.
Career Highlight
Became one of the Metropolitan Opera's most frequently performed soloists, establishing herself as the preeminent American soprano in Mozart roles during the 1980s and 1990s
At a Glance
- Voice
- Soprano (lyric coloratura)
- Nationality
- American
- Born
- 1948 · Portsmouth, Ohio, United States
Principal Houses
Engagements
Verified past & upcoming performances
We're building Kathleen Battle's engagement archive. Check back soon.
Available Performances
We're indexing Kathleen Battle's streaming history. Check back soon.