Brenda Boozer

Brenda Boozer (born January 25, 1948) is an American mezzo-soprano who has had an active international career performing in operas and concerts since the mid 1970s. She was a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City for 11 seasons.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Boozer participated in beauty pageants in her youth and was crowned Miss Tallahassee in 1967. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and completed graduate studies in vocal performance at the Juilliard School. At Juilliard she notably performed the role of Venus in a production of Jean-Philippe Rameau's rarely performed Dardanus with tenor John Aler in the title role in 1975. She also studied dance with Martha Graham and acting with Herbert Berghof in New York City. In 1976 she was a finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions.

Boozer made her professional opera debut in 1974 at the Santa Fe Opera as Winter in Francesco Cavalli's Egisto with George Shirley in the title role. In 1977 she made her debut at the San Francisco Opera as Sextus in Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito with Sandor Salgo conducting and her debut with Michigan Opera Theatre in the title role of Bizet's Carmen. In 1978 she made her debut at the Lyric Opera of Chicago as Lola in Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana under the baton of Riccardo Chailly. In 1979 she made her debut at the Houston Grand Opera singing the title role in Rossini's La Cenerentola with conductor Raymond Leppard.

...
Wikipedia