Grace Bumbry (11/1/1963)

Grace Bumbry (1937–2023), was a treasured recitalist, opera singer, and devoted mentor, whose international career spanned nearly half a century. As a young mezzo-soprano, Ms. Bumbry garnered the top prize at the 1958 Metropolitan Opera auditions, and luminaries such as Lotte Lehmann and Wieland Wagner became stalwart champions. Studs Terkel welcomed her to WFMT, in 1963, at a time when her star was very quickly ascending. Grace Bumbry was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on January 4, 1937, and we honor the 90th anniversary of her birth on this episode of the Best of Studs Terkel.