Grace Melzia Bumbry, b. St. Louis, Mo.,
Jan. 4, 1937, is an American singer who achieved international
fame following her debut (1961) as Venus in a controversial
production of Tannhauser in Bayreuth. She was the first black
singer to appear there. Bumbry sings both soprano and mezzo-soprano
roles, including Carmen, Tosca, and Salome. She is a frequent
guest with major opera companies in the United States and
Europe and is also active as a Lieder singer.
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