Farrell, Eileen (1920–2002)
Farrell, Eileen (1920–2002)
American soprano. Born Feb 13, 1920, in Willimantic, Connecticut; died Mar 23, 2002, in Park Ridge, New Jersey; dau. of Michael John Farrell and Catherine (Kennedy) Farrell (vaudeville performers, known as "The Singing O'Farrells"); studied with Merle Alcock and Eleanor McLellan; m. Robert V. Reagan (NY police officer), 1946 (died 1986); children: Robert V., Kathleen and John Reagan.
As the daughter of ex-vaudeville performers turned music teachers, often shook off the pretentions of the opera world because of her populist bent; made debut as singer on CBS (1941); had own weekly half-hour show, "Eileen Farrell Sings," which lasted for 6 years; made 61 appearances with New York Philharmonic, establishing a record and beginning a long association with that organization (1950–51); sang with the San Carlo Opera in Tampa, Florida (1956); made San Francisco debut in Il Trovatore (1957); made Metropolitan Opera debut in Gluck's Alcestis and firmly established her as one of America's leading dramatic sopranos (1960); released 3 recordings: Puccini arias, French and German art songs, and American popular songs (1960), but is best remembered for the Carnegie Hall recording of Berg's Wozzeck with the New York Philharmonic; served as Distinguished Professor of Music at Indiana University's School of Music (1971–80) and at the University of Maine (1984).
See also Women in World History.