Patricia Kern
Patricia Kern | |
|---|---|
| Born | Patricia Kern 14 July 1927 Swansea, Wales |
| Died | 19 October 2015 (aged 88) |
| Occupation(s) | mezzo-soprano and voice teacher |
| Spouse | David Smukler |
| Parent(s) | Clifford James Kern, Doris Hilday (née Boyle) |
Patricia Kern (14 July 1927 – 19 October 2015) was a British mezzo-soprano and voice teacher.
Early years
Patricia Kern was born in Swansea, Wales, the only daughter of a master shipwright, Clifford James Kern, and Doris Hilday (née Boyle). Patricia started her music career as a child star in cabarets and concerts at the age of five, wearing top hats and tails. During the Great Depression, Patricia became the family's chief breadwinner when her father lost his job.[1]
Singing career
From 1949 to 1952, Kern studied with
Kern made her debut with Scottish Opera in 1969 in
Kern’s voice was light but crystal clear with a fine capacity, especially for coloratura roles and arias. Kern once remarked:
- "I really was a contralto. I started to exercise the voice a little more floridly, and the voice really started to travel up very easily. As a result, most of my time was spent in the higher, lighter mezzo range."[2]
Kern's stage personality was described as 'engaging and sympathetic'.[3]
She made several recordings, including Massenet's Manon (1990) and Monteverdi's Madrigals (1998).
Teaching career
In 1980, Kern was appointed adjunct professor of voice at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, where she taught for more than 20 years. Her pupils included James Westman, Russell Braun, Brett Polegato, Jean Stilwell, and Kimberly Barber[1] as well as Phillip Addis[4] and Peter McGillivray[5]
Death
Kern died at a palliative care facility in Toronto on 19 October 2015 at the age of 88.[1][2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Neil Crory (18 November 2015). "Gifted mezzo-soprano Patricia Kern became an exacting teacher". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Alasdair Stevens (23 October 2015). "Obituary: Patricia Kern, mezzo soprano". The Scotsman. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ^ Alan Blyth, Patricia Kern, Grove Music Online, Oxford University Press 2007
- ^ "Phillip Addis & Michèle Losier : Werther & Charlotte". www.scena.org. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ "UofT Opera | Peter McGillivray, UofT Opera Alumni returning to star as Frank Maurrant in Street Scene". Retrieved 12 November 2023.
External links
- Interview with Patricia Kern by Bruce Duffie, 5 November 1987
- List of recordings by Patricia Kern
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