Munsel, Patrice (1925–)

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Munsel, Patrice (1925–)

American opera singer. Born Patrice Beverly Munsel, May 14, 1925, in Spokane, WA; studied with William Herman and Renato Bellini; coached in operatic roles by Giacomo Spadoni; m. Robert C. Schuler, 1952.

Became the youngest winner of the popular radio show "Metropolitan Auditions of the Air," singing the "Mad Scene" from Lucia di Lammermoor and walking away with a contract with the Metropolitan; at 18, was also the youngest singer to debut with the Metropolitan Opera (1943), performing the role of the courtesan Philine in Mignon; other early roles included Olympia in Tales of Hoffmann and Gilda in Rigoletto; eventually found a comfortable niche with the Met while developing a parallel concert and recording career; also became a popular radio entertainer and played the title role in the film Melba (1953), based on the life of Nellie Melba; performed with the Met until late 1950s, then concentrated on musical comedy.

See also Women in World History.