Barbara Hendricks, a renowned American operatic soprano and concert singer, first took her first breath on November 20, 1948, in the quaint town of Stephens, Arkansas. With a career spanning decades, she has been a long-time resident of Europe, having made the move in 1977. Since 1985, Hendricks has called Basel, Switzerland, her home, where she has been deeply rooted in the local community. Her personal life took a significant turn when she tied the knot with a Swedish citizen, subsequently acquiring Swedish citizenship.
As a youngster, Hendricks was deeply passionate about singing, frequently delivering solos and taking voice lessons, laying the groundwork for a future career in music. At the tender age of 20, she successfully completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, graduating with a prestigious bachelor's degree in both mathematics and chemistry. Following her academic pursuits, Hendricks went on to attend the esteemed Aspen Music Festival and School, where she honed her craft before proceeding to the renowned Juilliard School of Music in New York. While at Juilliard, Hendricks had the privilege of studying under the guidance of the celebrated mezzo-soprano Jennie Tourel and participated in master classes led by the legendary soprano Maria Callas, further solidifying her musical expertise. Ultimately, Hendricks earned a bachelor's degree in music from Juilliard, a testament to her unwavering dedication to her craft.
Barbara Hendricks embarked upon her esteemed operatic career in 1974, making her professional debut at the prestigious Glyndebourne Festival in Europe and the renowned San Francisco Opera in America, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey that would take her to the world's most prominent opera houses.
Throughout her illustrious career, Hendricks has had the privilege of performing at many of the most esteemed opera houses globally, including the Opéra National de Paris, the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and La Scala, solidifying her reputation as a masterful vocalist.
One of the most memorable highlights of her career was in 1998, when she took on the iconic role of Liù in the historic performance of Turandot at the majestic Forbidden City in Beijing, a performance that would be etched in the annals of opera history forever.
Hendricks has had an extensive career in film, with a diverse range of roles to her credit. One notable appearance was in the opera-based film La bohème, where she brought to life the iconic character of Mimì. Additionally, she starred in the Swedish film adaptation of Stravinsky's opera The Rake's Progress, playing the pivotal role of Anne Truelove. In 2007, Hendricks further expanded her cinematic repertoire by appearing alongside esteemed actress Juliette Binoche in the film Disengagement. Furthermore, she lent her vocals to the recording of Mahler's masterpiece Das Lied von der Erde, which served as the main theme for the film, showcasing her impressive vocal range and artistic versatility.
Noteworthy beyond her classical music endeavors, Hendricks has also demonstrated a remarkable proficiency as a jazz singer, marking her jazz debut at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in the year 1994.
Since that inaugural appearance, she has consistently performed at prominent jazz festivals globally, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile and accomplished artist.
Furthermore, Hendricks is deeply passionate about chamber music, and has taken the initiative to organize numerous chamber music festivals, showcasing her dedication to the art form and her ability to bring people together through music.
Angelica Hendricks' illustrious career took a notable turn in 2004, when she originated the character of Angel in the groundbreaking world premiere of Péter Eötvös' opera Angels in America, a production that commanded the stage at the esteemed Théâtre du Châtelet in the City of Light, Paris.
In the following year, January 2006, Hendricks made the bold decision to part ways with EMI and embark on a new venture, establishing her own independent record label, Arte Verum. This innovative move allowed her to maintain creative control over her music, and she has since utilized this label exclusively for her recordings, a testament to her unwavering commitment to artistic autonomy.
Notable vocalist Hendricks took part in a poignant musical tribute in 2018, joining forces with the esteemed Choir of the French Army to pay a stirring rendition of the iconic French national anthem, "La Marseillaise", at the solemn interment ceremony of the late Simone Veil, a revered figure in French politics and society, held within the hallowed walls of the Panthéon, a revered Parisian landmark and final resting place for some of France's most illustrious citizens.
Simone Veil Biography:
Simone Veil was a French politician and physician who served as the Minister of Health from 1974 to 1979. Born on July 13, 1927, in Nice, France, Veil was a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. After the war, she studied medicine and became a prominent figure in French politics, advocating for women's rights and reproductive rights. Veil was a member of the European Parliament from 1976 to 1999 and served as the President of the European Parliament from 1979 to 1982. She passed away on June 30, 2017, at the age of 89.
