Jordan, Irene

views updated

Jordan, Irene

Jordan, Irene, American soprano; b. Birmingham, Ala., April 25, 1919. She studied at Judson Coll. in Marion, Ala. (A.B., 1939) and with Clytie Mundy in N.Y. On Nov. 11, 1946, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut in N.Y. in the mezzo-soprano role of Mallika in Lakmé, and remained on its roster until 1948. After training as a soprano (1949–52), she sang opera in Chicago (1954), at the Metropolitan Opera (1957), and at the N.Y.C. Opera (1957); she also appeared as a soloist with various American orchs. Among his admired roles were Donna Elvira, the Queen of the Night, Leonore, Lady Macbeth, and Aida.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire