The Resume

(May 31, 1931-November 5, 2010)
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana
Opera singer
Mezzo-soprano turned soprano
Known for her roles in operas by Verdi and Donizetti
Appeared on Broadway in 'Carousel' (1994)
Wrote the autobiography 'I Never Walked Alone' (2003)

Why she might be annoying:

Her parents were opposed to her becoming an opera singer.
Many critics felt that her decision to switch from mezzo-soprano to soprano was a mistake.
She turned down a long-term contract with La Scala in Milan.
Her performances were inconsistent, which she blamed on a mold allergy.

Why she might not be annoying:

She left her abusive first husband after discovering a pistol under his pillow.
Her second marriage, to artist Lou LoMonaco, lasted 47 years until her death.
Leopold Stokowski had to withdraw an offer for her to perform with the Houston Symphony when the orchestra's board of directors refused to allow a black soloist to appear. (Stokowski made ammends by having her perform with the better-known Philadelphia Orchestra.)
She refused to perform before segregated audiences during a tour of the south (1961).
After a performance in Verdi's 'Macbeth' at La Scala, Italian critics dubbed her 'la Nera Callas' ('the black Callas').

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Black and Beautiful
• Black Women Loved by Whites
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 32]
• Celebrities Born on the Same Date [May] (Ranked: 5311931)
• Ed Sullivan Show Guests
• I Adopted a Child
• I Attended Juilliard
• I Covered 'You'll Never Walk Alone'
• I Died in 2010 (Ranked: 79)
• I Married Outside My Race
• I Portrayed Lady Macbeth
• My Spouse is at Least Ten Years Older than Me
• Opera Singers and Composers
• Profiles 30251-30500 (Ranked: 30261)
• Spousal Abuse Victims
• We Died on the Same Day (Ranked: 20101105)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 84.62% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 156 Votes: 53.21% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 86 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 62 Votes: 56.45% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 66 Votes: 60.61% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 22 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 84 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 49 Votes: 73.47% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 236 Votes: 66.95% Annoying