Biography:
- Kathleen Battle was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, and began her musical training at an early age. She studied voice at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music and later with the renowned vocal педагог Adele Addison.
- Battle made her professional debut in 1975 in Mozart's _The Magic Flute_ with the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. She soon gained international recognition for her performances in leading opera houses such as the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Covent Garden in London, and the Paris Opera.
- Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Battle was one of the most celebrated sopranos in the world. She collaborated with renowned conductors such as James Levine, Riccardo Muti, and Seiji Ozawa and appeared in numerous recordings of operas and recitals.
- In addition to her operatic career, Battle also had a successful crossover career. She released several pop and classical crossover albums, including _Battleground_, which featured collaborations with artists such as Stevie Wonder and Elton John.
- Battle's career was marked by both critical acclaim and controversy. She was known for her exceptional vocal talent, but she also faced criticism for her diva-like behavior and disagreements with opera companies and conductors.
- In recent years, Battle has continued to perform and has also been involved in teaching and coaching young singers. She has founded the Kathleen Battle Foundation to support aspiring opera singers and has held master classes and workshops around the world.
Awards and recognition:
- Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Soloist (1983)
- Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance (1985, 1987)
- Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance by a Female (1991)
- NAACP Image Award for Best Female Artist (1985)
- Honorary doctorate from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (1988)
- Induction into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame (1996)