DeGaetani, Jan (1933–1989)

US soprano. She studied at the Juilliard School in New York City. Sometimes called the ‘Queen of the Avant-Garde’, she actually had a vast repertoire and was an outstanding interpreter of many types of music from the Renaissance on.

She was born in Massillon, Ohio. She gravitated to modern music and found fame performing challenging works such as George Crumb's Ancient Voices of Children, one of many works written by major composers expressly for her. Known for the intelligence she brought to music as well as for her rich voice, she also taught at the Eastman School of Music and at the Aspen, Colorado, summer festivals.