Verrett, Shirley (1931– )

US mezzo-soprano, later soprano. She studied in Los Angeles and at the Juilliard School, New York. She made her opera debut with the New York City Opera in 1958; she sang in Europe from 1959, and in 1962 was heard at Spoleto as Carmen. She later sang the role on her debuts at the Bolshoi, Moscow, La Scala, Milan, and the Metropolitan Opera House, New York (1968). In 1966 she sang Ulrica in London at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; she returned for Eboli, Amneris, Orpheus, and Selika in L'Africaine. In October 1973 she sang both Cassandre and Didon in Belioz's Les Troyens/The Trojans at the Metropolitan Opera House. Other roles include Judith, Tosca, Azucena, and Lady Macbeth. She sang Didon again at the opening of the Opéra Bastille, Paris (1990).