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Maureen Forrester
Maureen Forrester
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By 1955, Forrester was
appearing on CBC Radio's L'Heure du Concert, along with accompanist
John Newmark, who was to be her friend, advisor and collaborator
for over 30 years. In 1956, she became pregnant with
Eugene Kash's baby. Kash, 18 years her senior, was already
an established musical figure. Besides being an accomplished
violinist, he was conductor of the Ottawa Philharmonic.
She had the child on her own, while studying in Berlin - a
courageous move for the times.
Not long after her return from Europe,
Forrester gave her first recital in New York City and it wasn't
long before she became one of the greatest interpreters of
Mahler lieder the world has ever known. Next, the great
years - scores of recordings, over 100 concerts a year.
Flying from continent to continent with standing ovations
and ecstatic reviews wherever she touched down. And
amidst all that - giving birth to five children in ten years.
Despite moving in very high brow circles, Forrester was always
a down-to-earth diva - enjoying her role as the witch in Hansel
and Gretel as much as singing in the major opera house in
Europe. In 1983, she agreed to become Chairwoman of
the Canada Council for the Arts - her way of giving something
back. Now 70, she's about to be honoured with a prestigious
Ruby Mercer Opera Award - to be presented to her by Jon Vickers,
one of the greatest singers to come out of Canada.
Original Air Date - October 17, 2000
Links
Canada
Council for the Arts
Governor
General's Performing Arts Award Recipient
The
Order of Canada Gallery
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