Felicia Weathers

Felicia Weathers

Felicia Weathers (born 13 August 1937) is an African-American opera and concert singer (soprano). Weathers was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She sang in Zurich, Vienna, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Paris, Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, The Royal Opera in London, La Scala in Milan and Metropolitan Opera, New York. One of her supporters was the conductor Herbert von Karajan. Among Weathers' notable opera performances were the leading roles in Salome (R. Strauss), Aida (Verdi), Madama Butterfly (Puccini), and as Dona Anna in Don Giovanni (Mozart), Elisabeth in Don Carlos (Verdi), and many others. She is also a recitalist and concert singer. 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 received 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. In Germany, she received the Deutscher Schallplattenpreis. In 2011, she was recipient of the National Opera Association's "Lift Every Voice" award.Her last performance in opera was in 1999 in Germany. Here she sang the role of Chrysothemis in Elektra (R. Strauss). Since then she sings in concerts and dedicates her professional experience in being a voice and vocal technique teacher. Weathers directed Madama Butterfly for the Ebony National Opera in New York City and for the Heidelberg Oper in Germany. She directed Il trovatore in Philadelphia and Porgy and Bess in Rio de Janeiro.

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