2002 Award Winner: Marietta Simpson, Mezzo-Soprano

Mezzo-soprano Marietta Simpson, a native of Philadelphia, began her operatic training at Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton, New York. She was a member of the Houston Opera Studio for several seasons and has sung roles with Mobile and Minnesota Opeas, Opera Delaware, Opera North, August and Columbus Operas, the New York City Opera, Royal Opera House, and Covent Garden.

Ms. Simpson has performed with many of the world’s great conductors, including the late Robert Shaw, Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel, Simon Rattle, Helmuth Rilling, Charles Dutoit, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Neeme Jarvi and Neville Marriner.

As a recitalist, Ms. Simpson has performed in the United States and Europe. She has sung with all the major orchestras in the United States and most of those in Europe, including the Vienna Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, the Berlin Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Dallas, Minneapolis, Seattle, Tucson, Duluth-Superior, Tulsa, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Flint, Memphis, Eugene, Kansas City and Knoxville symphonies.

Ms. Simpson has made many recordings and television appearances, including the Covent Garden production of Porgy and Bess. Her numerous awards include finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions, a Certificate of Honor as a distinguished alumna from Temple University and the second annual Chisholm Award from the National Political Congress of Black Women in Philadelphia.