- Florence Kopleff
Florence Kopleff (born
May 2 ,1924 ) is an Americancontralto .She was born in
New York City .She began her career in 1941 when she was in her senior year of high school. She has been very active as a concert and oratorio singer, appearing and recording with many of the great conductors of her era, particularly as a soloist with the
Robert Shaw Chorale . She was also a frequent soloist with theAtlanta Symphony , of which Robert Shaw was the conductor.Time magazine once called her the "greatest living alto."She taught at
Georgia State University starting in 1968, when she became a professor and the school's first artist-in-residence. The school's recital hall is named for her.Recordings
*
Bach :Mass in B minor with Robert Shaw,RCA Victor , Grammy winner, 1962
*Beethoven :9th Symphony withFritz Reiner , RCA Victor
*Berlioz :L'Enfance du Christ , withCharles Munch , RCA Victor (now available in a multi-album reissue set "Munch Conducts Berlioz") A 1966 video of a live performance, also conducted by Munch, has been issued as Video Artists Int'l DVD, Catalog #4303.
*Mahler : Symphony No. 2 withMaurice Abravanel , Vanguard
*Handel : Messiah with Robert Shaw, RCA Victor, Grammy winner, 1967References
* [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Kopleff-Florence.htm Biography on Bach Cantata Web site]
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