"I can sing 22 arias...I have an extraordinary voice for my age." - Interview on the Major Bowes Capitol Family Hour - November 19, 1939 (age 10)
accolades
1960's |
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1969
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Sills was given the nicknames "La Fenomena" (the phenomenon)
and "Il Mostro" (the incomparable) by the Milanese after the opening
night of "L'Assedio di Corinto" at La Scala on April 11. |
1969
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Grammy Nominee - Best Classcial Performance/Vocal Soloist - "Scenes and Arias from French Opera" |
1970's |
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1970 | Grammy Nominee - Best Classical Performance/Vocal Soloist - "Mozart and Strauss Arias" |
1970
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On October 27, President Richard Nixon appointed Sills to the
National Council of the Arts, a body that plays a key role in
determining how the funds of the National Foundation on the Arts and
Humanities are spend. |
1970
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Musical America Magazine - Musician of the Year |
1971
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Europe's "Edison Award" for the Studio Recording of Massenet's "Manon".
Julius Rudel,conductor. Beverly Sills, Nicolai Gedda, Gerard Souzay, Gabriel Bacquier, Nico Castel, Michel Trempont, Patricia Kern, Michele Raynaud, Helia T'Hevan, artists. Ambrosian Opera Chorus, New Philharmonia Opera Orchestra. |
1972
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Honorary Doctorate in Music from Temple University |
1973
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Handel Medallion Handel Medallion from New York City for achievement in the arts |
1973
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OHonorary Doctorate in Music from New York University and New England Conservatory of Music. |
1974
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Honorary Doctorate in Music from Harvard University
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1975
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Emmy Award in the Category Outstanding Classical Music Program for the television Special "Profile in Music: Beverly Sills Festival" that aired on Public Broadcast Station. The producer was Patricia Foy
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1976
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Grammy Award in the Category Best Classical Vocal Soloist in the recording of "Herbert: Music of Victor Herbert" at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards.
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1977
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Emmy Award Nominee in the Category Outstanding Special - Comedy-Variety or Music for the television show "Sills and Burnett at the Met" which aired on CBS. - Joe Hamilton, Producer; Carol Burnett, Star; Beverly Sills, Star.
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1978
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Grammy Award in the Category Best Opera Recording in the recording of Lehar's "The Merry Widow" Julius Rudel,conductor. George Sponhaltz & John Coveney, producers. Alan Titus & Beverly Sills,artists. New York City Opera Orchestra,orchestra.
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1979
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Sills received the Recording Industry Association of America
Culture Award in recognition of her significant contribution to the
arts and the entertainment community. The award was given at a dinner
at the Washington Hilton on March 20. |
1979
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The first annual Pearl S. Buck Woman's Award was presented to
Sills at New York's Plaza Hotel on April 22. The award, honoring a
woman who has achieved success in the arts, government or business
while rearing a family, was presented as part of the 15th-anniversary
celebration of the Peal S. Buck Foundation. |
1980's |
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1980
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Emmy Award Nominee in the category Outstanding Classical Program in the Performing Arts for the television show "Beverly Sills in Concert" which aired on Public Broadcasting Station. - Thomas L. Merklinger, Executive Producer; Beverly Sills, Star
|
1980
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Recipient of the Gold Baton Award, the American Symphony
League's highest honor, given annually for distinguished service to
music and the arts |
1980
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On February 1, President Jimmy Carter announced the members of
his President's Commission for a National Agenda for the Eighties.
Sills was one of the 29 appointees. |
1980
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Recipient of The Medal of Freedom from President Jimmy Carter. The
ceremony took place at the White House on June 9. |
1981
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Emmy Award Nominee in the category Outstanding Classical Program in the Performing Arts" for the television show "
A Lincoln Center Special: Beverly! Her Farewell Performance" which aired on Public Broadcasting Station. - John Goberman, Producer; Beverly Sills, Star |
1981
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On June 5, President Ronald Reagan announced the appointees to
his Presidential Task Force on the Arts and Humanities, which
included Sills. The Task Force was to recommend ways in which private
support for the arts and humanities might be enhanced. |
1982
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B'nai B'rith Women gave Sills its Perlman Award for Human
Advancement for the singer's work with the March of Dimes crusade
against birth defects. The award was presented at the Sheraton
Washington Hotel on February 21 as part of the BBW's biennial
convention. |
1985
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Kennedy Center Honoree for her lifetime achievement and contribution to the arts. |
1987
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Sills was inducted into the Working Woman Magazine's Hall of
Fame. The announcement, made on October 26, cited Sills' abilities as
hands-on manager of the New York City Opera and as fund-raiser. |
1989
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Sills is inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame,
along with 19 others, including Maya Angelou and Madeleine Albright.
The Women's Hall of Fame was established in 1969 in Seneca Falls, New
York to honor the achievements of American women. |
1989
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The administration of Lincoln Center honors Sills' tenure at
NYCO general director by establishing the Beverly Sills Award,
allowing Sills to award $5000 to a member of the NYCO company once a
year for five years. The first award was given in 1990 to Christopher
Keene, Sills' successor as general manager. |
1990's |
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1990
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President George Bush gave the National Medal of Arts to Sills
in a ceremony at the White House on Sept. 10. |
1994
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Recipient of the Heinz Award for her lifetime contribution to the arts. |
1994
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Sills wins the Bess Wallace Truman Ward, established in 1990
to honor nationally know women who exemplify the character of Bess
Truman, wife of President Harry Truman. The award was given at a ceremony on May 6 at
the Truman High School in Independence, Missouri. |
1997
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Sills received the Pittsburgh Opera Renaissance Award on April
6 on stage at the Benedum Center, the opera company's home, as part
of its 13th annual Maecenas Benefit Gala. The award is given to those
who embody the company's artistic vision. |
1998
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Recipient of the Multiple Sclerosis Hope Award for her contribution and work with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
|
1998
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The American Jewish Historical Society presented its Emma Lazarus
Statue of Liberty Award to Beverly Sills at the Pierre Hotel in
Manhattan on April 26, 1998. The award, which has been presented only
five times in the organization's 106-year history, honored Ms. Sills
for a ''lifetime of achievement in the arts and humanitarian
causes.'' The society is the oldest ethnic historical center in the
United States, with archives, a library and a museum containing the
world's largest collection of materials depicting the Jewish
experience in the United States. |
1998
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Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the New York
State Commission honoring the Achievements of Women |
2000 - Present |
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2000
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Recipient of the Order of Arts and Letter medal by the French Government for her vision and commitment to the arts.
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2002
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Recipient of the New York Heroes Award, the highest honor
bestowed by the New York Chapter of the Recording Academy, given to
individuals whose creative talents and accomplishments cross all
musical boundaries.
|
2005
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The Metropolitan Opera establishes the $50,000 Beverly Sills Artist Award for aspiring American singers.
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2006
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Recipient of New York University's Lewis Rudin Award for Exemplary Service to New York City |
2007
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Inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame |