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Tichina Vaughn
Tichina Vaughn American Mezzosoprano
Born
Tichina Vaughn

(1965-09-19) 19 September 1965 (age 58)
Baltimore, United States
EducationNorth Carolina School of arts Georgia State University Metropolitan Opera young artists program
Occupation
  • Operatic mezzo-soprano
AwardsKammersängerin, Staatstheater Stuttgart

Tichina Vaughn (born 19 September 1965) is an American operatic dramatic mezzo-soprano active internationally in opera, concert halls and recitals.[1] Starting at the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program[2] at the Metropolitan Opera,[3] her American career expanded into Europe, as member of the permanent ensembles of the Semperoper in Dresden and the Stuttgart Opera, where she was awarded the title of Kammersängerin in 2006.[4] She has been a regular at the Arena di Verona[5] and other major theaters worldwide, singing a wide repertoire span, with a "voluminous and dark mezzo"[6] voice the dramatic Verdi roles such as Amneris in Aida, Eboli in Don Carlo, Azucena in Il trovatore and Ulrica in Un ballo in maschera, Wagner's Ortrud Lohengrin, Venus Tannhäuser, Fricka Die Walküre, Waltraute in Götterdämmerung and Strauss, Herodias in Salome and Klytemnestra in Elektra.[7] According to Opernglas, Vaughn has a natural "great intensity" on stage, with an ample "voice, which flows richly, even in the low registers."[8] The Neue Zürcher Zeitung describes her voice as an "enchanting satisfyingly rich mezzosoprano".[9] Bernard Holland of The New York Times called hers "A voice of quality", which had "the presence and personality that might well fit the Met... a mezzo-soprano whose strong upper register gave hints of a dramatic soprano to come".[10]

Early life and education

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Born in Baltimore, Maryland to Lucinda Vaughn, a single mother, Tichina Vaughn was raised in Winston-Salem, NC where she began singing at 6 years old in the Tots Choir at Shiloh Baptist Church. She studied the clarinet and played in concert and marching bands. At Northside High School for the Performing Arts (currently North Atlanta High School) she began performing as featured singer with the Touring Company graduating in May 1983.[11] In September 1983 Vaughn began formal vocal study with the mezzo-soprano Florence Kopleff[2] at Georgia State University. In January 1985, Vaughn studied at the University of North Carolina school of the Arts (now UNCSA) under Prof. Fredric Moses. Vaughn also attended the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, where she was a finalist in the Meistersinger Competition in 1987. She earned her bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance from UNCSA in 1989 and was engaged at Wolf Trap Opera as a Filene Artist in the summers of 1989 and 1990.

American career

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She began her professional career as a member of The Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera after winning The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in April 1989.[12] She made her stage debut at the Met in 1990 as a member of the Young Artist Program[13] singing under Nello Santi, John Fiore and James Levine. Vaughn's first leading role was Amneris in Verdi's Aida at the Seattle Opera in 1992.[14] This success prompted invitations for Aida from Detroit Opera (1993), Opera Pacific (1995),[15] Tulsa Opera (1997),[16] and Hong Kong Opera Society (1997), and established her as a young Verdi mezzo-soprano. Additional Verdian leading roles in the early years included Princess Eboli in Don Carlos in Seattle (1993), and the Requiem in Santiago, Chile (1992), Buenos Aires (1992), and San Antonio Symphony (1993).

International career

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Since the late 1990s Vaughn has worked internationally. Singing mostly mainstream Italian repertoire, Vaughn added numerous roles in German. Boris Gruhl wrote of her Klytemnestra in Elektra, "The manner in which she expresses (Klytemnestra's) nightmares is deeply harrowing. She has the right timbre for the tragedy of the guilty queen, and her scenes of desperate loneliness make her a tragic partner for Elektra."[17] Vaughn's Venus in Tannhäuser at the Hamburg State Opera "bewitched her minstrel with her charmingly sensual, powerful mezzo and her personal charisma. Even in her short appearance in the third act, one could feel the presence of her strong personality."[18] Her "superbly dramatic Herodias"[19] in Salome became a signature role in Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Dresden.

From 1998 to 2006 Tichina Vaughn was principal artist in the ensemble of the Staatsoper Stuttgart where she made her European debut as Mrs. Quickly in Verdi's Falstaff in August 1996 and was awarded the title of Kammersängerin in 2006.[20] Roles performed included Azucena in Verdi's Il Trovatore conducted by Nicola Luisotti, and Arnalta in Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea conducted by Nicholas Kok, Eboli in Verdi' Don Carlo, Widow Begbick in Weill's Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, Venus in Tannhäuser, Giulietta in Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffmann, Fricka in Wagner's Die Walküre,[21] Waltraute in Götterdämmerung[22] and Erda in Das Rheingold and Siegfried. Her discography in Stuttgart includes the Stuttgart Opera Ring cycle filmed for DVD distribution by Euro Arts and recorded for Naxos.

From 2010 to 2018 Vaughn was a principal artist in the ensemble of the Semperoper[23] where she was heard as Azucena conducted by Daniel Oren, Venus conducted by Asher Fisch, Ortrud in Wagner's Lohengrin, Herodias, Eboli, Jezibaba in Stefan Herheim's production of Rusalka,[24] Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss, Isabella in Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri, Suzuki in Puccini's Madama Butterfly, Grand Vestale in La Vestale conducted by Gabriele Ferro,[25] Cornelia in Handel's Giulio Cesare, the Mother in Il Prigioniero, Brigitta in Korngold's Die Tote Stadt[26] among others.

Amneris, Arena di Verona 2006

She made her Arena di Verona debut as Amneris in 2003[27] and returned there in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, and 2012 working with conductors Marco Armiliato, Placido Domingo, Daniel Oren, Vjekoslav Šutej and Piergiorgio Morandi. She has sung Ulrica in Verdi's Un ballo in maschera in many world stages, notably at the San Francisco Opera,[28] and Graz Opera.[29] Teatro Massimo Palermo, Ancona, Verona and Dresden.

Vaughn's "full-blooded Azucena" in Il Trovatorein a Stuttgart performance, "with her room-filling presence, her vocal flexibility and vibrant top is a powerful representation of this role."[30] She appeared as Azucena at the Greek National Opera,[31] Hungarian National Opera, Sacramento Opera, Teatro Verdi Trieste, and Teatro Carlo Felice.

Vaughn sang three roles, Serena, Maria and Lily, in Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, at the Metropolitan Opera with James Levine, the Kennedy Center with Bobby McFerrin,[32] and the English National Opera,[33] Teatro alla Scala, Bregenzer Festspiele, Miscolc Festival, Ravinia Festival, Opera Carolina, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Dutch National Opera where she also created the role of 'Mother of Aida' in Micha Hamels Caruso in Cuba.

Other appearances as a guest artist were at the Los Angeles Opera (Frugola in Puccini's Il Tabarro with James Conlon),[34] Finnish National Opera, The Israeli Opera (Verdi Requiem),[35] Korea National Opera (Mrs. Quickly in Verdi's Falstaff), and Oper Frankfurt.

Concert

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Major concerts include appearances in Santiago de Chile (Verdi Requiem), Atlanta Symphony orchestra,[1] American Symphony,[36] NDR,[37] Teatro Petruzzelli Bari (Aleksander Nevsky) under Julian Kovachev, Berliner Festspiele,[38] Elbphilharmonie Hamburg,[39] the Taipei Symphony under Roberto Abbado,[40] and the Kennedy Center (Missa Solemnis), She frequently performs Lieder and other recitals with partners such as Maris Skuja, Wolfgang Heinz, Lars Jönsson, Nicola Luisotti,[41] and Eytan Pessen at the piano. Vaughn is also a versatile Jazz and gospel performer.[42]

Personal life

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In December 1992 Vaughn married singer Derrick Lawrence.[43] Their union produced two children and ended in divorce in December 2007. In 2015 Vaughn was chosen as 'Role Model Beyond Beauty' by OTC beauty magazine,[44] highlighting "women of color who have made significant advances in their careers and who have given back to their communities." Her portrait by Leo Rucker, commissioned by OTC, was part of an exhibition in Winston-Salem, NC and other places.[45] Vaughn has received awards from the Metropolitan Opera National Council, the Richard Tucker Foundation[46] the Opera Index Vocal Competition,[47] Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation,[48] Robert M. Jacobson grants,[46] Heritage Foundation Award, the Foundation Award of the Birgit Nilsson Foundation, and the Consul General's Award for Cultural Diplomacy from the Consulate General Milan.

Vaughn is active as a singing teacher and regularly gives masterclasses in Europe and the United States, including Dresden, Stuttgart, the Metropolitan Opera[49] New York City and North Carolina.[50][51]

Recordings (audio)

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  • 2005 Christmas at My House, Lars Jönsson Piano. Bauer Studios, Animato (LC 05187) ACD 6085[52]
  • 2006 Stuttgarter Ring Cycle, Naxos[53]
  • 2012 Schwanda, der Dudelsackpfeifer Semperoper Edition Vol.8[54]
  • 2019 Porgy and Bess, Metropolitan Opera

Video

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Repertoire (Opera)

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Repertoire (Oratorio)

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Interviews and newspaper articles

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  • Sächsische Zeitung July 7, 2020, "Eine Opernstimme gegen Rassismus" Interview about Black lives matter, living in Dresden (in German)[4]
  • Sächsische Zeitung, December 2, 2016, Interview with Bernd Klempnow
  • Stuttgart Kultur Kaffee 2002[78]
  • Stuttgarter Zeitung[79]
  • The Crisis[80]
  • Orpheus Magazine (in German) Tichina Vaughn - Vielseitig uns auf dem Weg nach Oben(picture on cover and interview)
  • ZDF Aspekte Interview in German, with Jo Schück from ZDF Aspekte
  • Seattle Opera Blog, May 14, 2014, Discussion about the situation in Dresden since the Pegida Movement.[81]
  • Classical Singers Magazine, November 1, 2006, Center Stage Interview, Tichina Vaughn, Mezzo Soprano[82]
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  • Azucena in Verdi's Il Trovatore (Genova)[83]
  • Waltraute in Wagner's Götterdämmerung[84]
  • Ives, Serenity, Mozartsaal Stuttgart,[85] Eytan Pessen Piano
  • Sweet little Jesus boy[86]
  • Metropolitan Opera Interview[87]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Unknown".[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ a b The News and Observer, Raleigh, NC, July 2, 1989, p.63
  3. ^ "25 Black Opera Singers With Voices From Above [Female & Male]". July 6, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Eine Opernstimme gegen Rassismus". www.saechsische.de.
  5. ^ "Verona". Retrieved Aug 20, 2020.
  6. ^ Udo Klebes, Der neue Merker
  7. ^ "Tichina Vaughn, Mezzosopran". Operabase.
  8. ^ Opernglas
  9. ^ Neue Zürcher Zeitung
  10. ^ The New York Times, Bernard Holland, "Review/Music; Tomorrow's Singers in Met Concert", April 4, 1989, Page C00022
  11. ^ "Internationally acclaimed alumna will be artist-in-residence at UNCSA". www.uncsa.edu.
  12. ^ NY Daily News, April 4, 1989, p.457
  13. ^ "Tichina Vaughn". www.metopera.org.
  14. ^ "Seattle Opera – Tichina Vaughn". www.seattleopera.org.
  15. ^ The Tustin News, September 29, 1994, p.13
  16. ^ The Daily Oklahoman, August 24, 1997, p.115
  17. ^ "Wenn der Enkel mit dem Opa". 4 July 2014.
  18. ^ Der Neue Merker
  19. ^ "A Triumphant Return Home for Salome".
  20. ^ "Pressemitteilung". Baden-Württemberg.de.
  21. ^ "Wagner (Das) Rheingold".
  22. ^ "Tichina Vaughn ~ Waltraute's Narrative".
  23. ^ "Tichina Vaughn – Personen – Semperoper Dresden". www.semperoper.de.
  24. ^ "Jubel um "Rusalka" an der Semperoper".
  25. ^ "» DRESDEN/Semperoper: LA VESTALE / DIE VESTALIN von Gaspare Spontini – konzertantOnline Merker". Retrieved Aug 20, 2020.
  26. ^ Hugill, Planet. "Erich Korngold's Die tote Stadt at the Semperoper, Dresden".
  27. ^ "Tichina Vaughn è la stella del concerto di Natale". www.associazionemusicalelucchese.it. Retrieved Aug 20, 2020.
  28. ^ San Franchiso Chronicle, "Going to the Ball", September 3, 2006
  29. ^ "Oper Graz". Oper Graz.</ref Teatro di Salerno
  30. ^ Der neue Merker
  31. ^ "Vaughn Tichina – Greek National Opera". virtualmuseum.nationalopera.gr.
  32. ^ "MCFERRIN DOES GERSHWIN PROUD". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2017-08-28.
  33. ^ "Tichina Vaughn | English National Opera". Retrieved Aug 20, 2020.
  34. ^ The Los Angeles Times, October 2, 1994, p.350
  35. ^ "The Verdi Requiem in the Closing Concert". www.israel-opera.co.il.
  36. ^ "Tichina Vaughn". American Symphony Orchestra.
  37. ^ "NDR Klassik Open Air". www.ndr.de.
  38. ^ Festspiele, Berliner. "Musikfest Berlin – Berliner Philharmoniker / Cape Town Opera Voice of the Nation Chorus". www.berlinerfestspiele.de.
  39. ^ "Fr, 21.5.2021 20 Uhr Porgy and Bess". www.elbphilharmonie.de.
  40. ^ "TSO & TSOC 音樂會 : Giuseppe Verdi: Requiem - No.2 Dies irae（威爾第：安魂曲 - No.2 Dies irae）" – via www.youtube.com.
  41. ^ "Semper Magazin No.5". Issuu. 18 January 2011.
  42. ^ "Abschlusskonzert: Tango meets Cuba – Classic meets Cuba – Jazz meets Cuba". Jazztage Dresden – Das Jazzfestival in Dresden vom 21. Oktober – 23. November 2020.
  43. ^ Journal, Lynn Felder Winston-Salem (13 November 2016). "UNCSA opera singer has traveled the world; opening at La Scala". Winston-Salem Journal.
  44. ^ "OTC Beauty Magazine | Multicultural Beauty Industry News". OTC Beauty Magazine.
  45. ^ "Role Model Beyond Beauty / Part 10". June 1, 2015.
  46. ^ a b Central Opera Service Bulletin, Volume 29, Nr. 4, 1990
  47. ^ "opera index – Brooklyn Discovery". 13 May 2019.
  48. ^ Smith, Jada F. (20 May 2011). "Black Opera Stars: More Than Just the Sopranos". The Root.
  49. ^ "Isola Jones & Tichina Vaughn". SAS Performing Arts.
  50. ^ "Tichina Vaughn – Artist Session". fotocommunity.
  51. ^ Journal, Lynn Felder Winston-Salem (22 February 2020). "Tichina Vaughn teaches Fletcher fellows to dig deep, reach higher till they shimmer and shine". Winston-Salem Journal.
  52. ^ "Christmas at My House". November 25, 2008 – via Amazon.
  53. ^ "Tichina Vaughn- Bio, Albums, Pictures – Naxos Classical Music". www.naxos.com.
  54. ^ "Semperoper Edition Vol. 8 Schwanda". www.semperoper-erleben.de.
  55. ^ "ConcertoNet.com – The Classical Music Network". www.concertonet.com.
  56. ^ "Richard Wagner – Gambill · Jun · Rootering · Denoke · Behle · Vaughn · Staatsoper Stuttgart, Staatsorchester Stuttgart, Lothar Zagrosek – Die Walküre (2006, CD)" – via www.discogs.com.
  57. ^ "Renate Behle nrw-buehnen.de".
  58. ^ "Home". thehyerssisters.com.
  59. ^ "Candide". www.amicidelmusical.it.
  60. ^ "Allzu schöne Vernichtungen – Strawinsky und Dallapiccola an der Semperoper | nmz – neue musikzeitung". www.nmz.de. 2 July 2018.
  61. ^ "RUSALKA – Dresden, Semperoper | Operapoint BLOG". Retrieved Aug 20, 2020.
  62. ^ "Stuttgart: Giulio Cesare in Egitto / Online Musik Magazin". www.omm.de.
  63. ^ Fleury, Roger, Giacomo Puccini: A Discography, Scarecrow Press, 21.06.2012
  64. ^ "Oper Frankfurt". Retrieved Aug 20, 2020.
  65. ^ [Spontinis-La-vestale-konzertant-in-der-Semperoper-Dresden-als-Beitrag-zum-Wagner-Jahr
  66. ^ Oper Frankfurt 
  67. ^ A Triumphant Return Home for Salome
  68. ^ Tickets für "Fledermaus" in der Semperoper Dresden.
  69. ^ "Theatre review: Aida at Arena di Verona, Italy". British Theatre Guide.
  70. ^ "Oper Graz". Oper Graz.
  71. ^ "bvd – Kartenservice Bamberg – Konzertkarten, Veranstaltungen in Bamberg,..." www.bvd-ticket.de.
  72. ^ "San Francisco Opera Performance Archive". archive.sfopera.com.
  73. ^ Dresdner Morgenpost, "Fliegender Holländer" June 22, 2013
  74. ^ "Semper Magazin No.2 (11/12)". Issuu. 21 September 2011.
  75. ^ Leo, Jack. "The Ring in Helsinki 2001".
  76. ^ "Watch Wagner – Die Walküre online". Stingray Classica.
  77. ^ "ZEIT ONLINE | Lesen Sie zeit.de mit Werbung oder im PUR-Abo. Sie haben die Wahl". www.zeit.de.
  78. ^ "Tichina Vaughn – Der amerikanische Opernstar am Staatstheater Stuttgart – Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek". www.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de.
  79. ^ Germany, Stuttgarter Zeitung, Stuttgart. "Ein exklusives Vergnügen: Bei den Studiokonzerten – hier spielt das Andreas Dombert Trio – wird zugleich eine Platte aufgenommen. – Stuttgarter Zeitung". stuttgarter-zeitung.de.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  80. ^ "The Crisis".
  81. ^ Kazuko, Gabrielle. "Meet our singers: TICHINA VAUGHN, Antonia's Mother".
  82. ^ "Center Stage | CS Music". www.csmusic.net.
  83. ^ "Tichina Vaughn Condotta, Il Trovatore, Verdi, Azucena" – via www.youtube.com.
  84. ^ "Tichina Vaughn/Luana DeVol Wagner Die Götterdämmerung Stuttgart" – via www.youtube.com.
  85. ^ "Tichina Vaughn sings Ives Serenity" – via www.youtube.com.
  86. ^ "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" – via www.youtube.com.
  87. ^ "Metropolitan Opera Singer - Tichina Vaughn" – via www.youtube.com.
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