Mezzo-Soprano Mignon Dunn, Met Opera Stalwart, Dies at 98
Mignon Dunn, the distinguished American mezzo-soprano famed for her portrayal of Carmen, has passed away at 98. Born on June 17, 1928, in Memphis, Tennessee, she grew up in rural Arkansas, where her passion for opera was ignited by Saturday broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera. Dunn's career took off with her debut as Carmen in 1955 at the New Orleans Opera, followed by her arrival at the New York City Opera in 1956. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1958 and gained prominence after a standout performance as Carmen in 1969, totaling over 400 performances of the role. She continued teaching at the Manhattan School of Music until 2023.
Key facts
- Mignon Dunn died at age 98.
- She performed more than 650 times at the Metropolitan Opera.
- She sang Carmen over 400 times in her career.
- She made her professional debut as Carmen in 1955 with the New Orleans Opera.
- Her Met debut was in 1958 as the Nurse in Boris Godunov.
- She taught at the Manhattan School of Music from 1988 to 2023.
- She performed at La Scala, Royal Opera House, Paris Opera, and Bolshoi Theatre.
- She was born on June 17, 1928 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Entities
Artists
- Mignon Dunn
Institutions
- Metropolitan Opera
- New Orleans Opera
- New York City Opera
- La Scala
- Royal Opera House
- Paris Opera
- Bolshoi Theatre
- Manhattan School of Music
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Northwestern University
- Brooklyn College
Locations
- Memphis, Tennessee
- United States
- Arkansas
- New York
- Milan
- Italy
- London
- United Kingdom
- Paris
- France
- Moscow
- Russia
- Austin
- Texas
- Urbana-Champaign
- Illinois
- Evanston
- Brooklyn