Chilcott, Susan (1963–2003)

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Chilcott, Susan (1963–2003)

English soprano. Born July 8, 1963, in Bristol, England; died Sept 4, 2003, in Timsbury, England; adopted and brought up in Somerset; m. David Sigall, Oct 2000; children: (from previous relationship) 1 son (b. around 1999).

Began singing lessons at 6; joined Guildhall School of Music and Drama (1982); made professional debut as Frasquita in Scottish Opera production of Carmen (1991); 1st performed outside England at Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, as Ellen Orford in Britten's Peter Grimes (1994); became protégée of conductor, Antonio Pappano; made US debut at Santa Fe Opera, playing Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni (1996); made Metropolitan Opera debut, playing Helena in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream (April 2002); made Royal Opera House debut at Covent Garden opposite Plácido Domingo in Queen of Spades, playing Lisa (June 2002); last appeared in public with pianist Iain Burnside and actress Fiona Shaw in a Shakespearean evening in Brussels (June 2003); other roles include Hermione in Wintermärchen (1999), Desdemona in Verdi's Otello (2001), and the Composer in Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos.