 Portrait of Canadian contralto opera singer, Portia White. Taken in 1946 by Yousuf Karsh. Image by Yousuf Karsh, via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed Public domain |
Portia WhitePortia White (1911–1968) was a pioneering Canadian contralto recognized as the first Black Canadian concert singer to gain international acclaim. Born in Truro, Nova Scotia, she developed her musical talents in her father's church choir and trained at the Halifax Conservatory of Music. She made her national debut in 1941 and her international debut in 1944, performing classical works and African-American spirituals, which garnered her significant praise. Despite health challenges leading to her retirement in 1952, White continued to influence the arts by teaching emerging Canadian musicians. She was posthumously recognized as a person of national historic significance in Canada. (Source: Wikipedia)
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