Rankin, Nell (1924–2005)
Rankin, Nell (1924–2005)
American mezzo-soprano. Born Jan 3, 1924, in Birmingham, Alabama; died Jan 13, 2005, in New York, NY; sister of Ruth Rankin (soprano); studied with Jeanne Lorraine at Birmingham Conservatory, then with Karin Branzell; m. Dr. Hugh Clark Davidson.
Sang at the Metropolitan Opera for 25 years (1951–76); best known for her portrayals of Amneris in Aida and title role in Carmen, also sang Eboli in Don Carlo, Azucena in Il Trovatore, Ulrica in Un Ballo en Maschera, Ortrud in Lohengrin, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Herodias in Salome and Laura in Gioconda; sang at the Zurich Opera (1948–49); was the 1st American singer to win the International Music Competition in Geneva (1950), and sang at major houses throughout the world.
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Rankin, Nell (1924–2005)