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I Never Walked Alone: The Autobiography of an American Singer
An inspiring self-portrait of a world-renowned African American vocal artist
This is a fascinating account of a gifted woman's coming of age and rise to success at a time when black classical musicians faced barriers at every turn. Shirley Verrett possessed a talent and ambition so dazzling she could not be denied?and she became one of the most celebrated artists of her tim ...more
This is a fascinating account of a gifted woman's coming of age and rise to success at a time when black classical musicians faced barriers at every turn. Shirley Verrett possessed a talent and ambition so dazzling she could not be denied?and she became one of the most celebrated artists of her tim ...more
Hardcover
,
336 pages
Published
May 1st 2003
by Wiley
(first published April 30th 2003)
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Community Reviews
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The autobiographies of celebrities and other public figures tend to be vapid and self-aggrandizing, but Shirley Verrett’s autobiography is none of that. She freely speaks of the incidents she had with other singers where she was at fault, reflects on her rocky relationships with others at times and speaks frankly about her vocal problems in the 70s. Maybe it was just excellent editors, but Ms. Verrett strikes me as a very humble woman in her writing. She doesn’t brag and admits her ego problems
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"I Never Walked Alone" is of particular personal interest to me; I went to grammar school with two of Shirley's cousins and I remember well their mother, Shirley's aunt. That was before I became an opera lover, learned who Shirley was, and became interested in her voice.
The book is an enjoyable read, answering questions and clarifying things I'd read. I remember a 1970s review of Shirley’s "Norma" where the writer expressed concern over Shirley's taking on soprano roles, after having sung mezzo ...more
The book is an enjoyable read, answering questions and clarifying things I'd read. I remember a 1970s review of Shirley’s "Norma" where the writer expressed concern over Shirley's taking on soprano roles, after having sung mezzo ...more
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I am a big fan of Shirley Verrett's, but I have to say it took me forever to finish reading it (like six months). I enjoyed some of the anecdotes (especially her take on the feud between her and Grace Bumbry), but for the most part, the book comes off like a timeline of her career and what operas/recitals/recordings etc. were done where and when. This is especially true of the last part of the book, where the beginning of the book showed more of her life story. Recommended if you have any intere
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Jan 10, 2014
Kenneth
added it
The book was primarily a list of her recitals, opera performances and singers and artist she worked with. Not too much personal after her childhood. Not what I consider an autobiography to be.
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