Book Kathleen Battle

Kathleen Battle is an American operatic soprano celebrated for a luminous, agile voice and a remarkable range across opera, concert and crossover repertoire. Raised in Portsmouth, Ohio, she sang from childhood, earned scholarships to the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music and completed a master's degree in music education. She first made her name in the early 1970s as a soloist with major orchestras, made her opera debut in 1975, and through the 1980s and early 1990s expanded into lyric and coloratura soprano roles. Her discography runs to dozens of studio recordings, among them A German Requiem (1983), Kathleen Battle Sings Mozart (1986), Pleasures of Their Company (1986), Baroque Duet (1992), Honey and Rue (1995), So Many Stars (1995), Angels' Glory (1996) and Grace (1997). She received a Laurence Olivier Award and the Candace Award in 1992. In later years she has concentrated on recording and concert work, and returned to the Metropolitan Opera House for concerts of spirituals in November 2016 and May 2024. Battle brings rare artistry and spiritual depth to the concert stage.