Lear, Evelyn (1926–)

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Lear, Evelyn (1926–)

American soprano. Name variations: Mrs. Thomas Stewart. Born Evelyn Shulman, Jan 8, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY; studied with John Yard, Sergius Kagen, and Maria Ivogün; attended New York University, 1944–45, Hunter College, 1946–48, Juilliard School of Music, 1953–54, and Hochschule für Musik, Berlin, 1957–59; m. Dr. Walter Lear, 1943; m. Thomas Stewart (baritone), 1955.

Made debut in Berlin (1957), Salzburg (1962–64), Covent Garden (1965), Teatro Colon (1965), and Metropolitan Opera (1967); was one of the few singers to have performed Sophie, Octavian, and the Marshallin in Der Rosenkavalier, Despina and Fiodiligi in Cosi fan tutte, and Cherubino and the Countess in Figaro; appeared in Altman's film Buffalo Bill and the Indians, gave many performances of lieder, and, as a member of the West Berlin Opera ensemble, made 33 recordings; retired (1985). Received honorary title of Kammersaengerin, Senate of Berlin (1964); won Grammy award for performance of Marie in Wozzeck (1965).

See also Women in World History.