Voting Station

Kathleen Ferrier

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Vocalist

The Resume

    (April 22, 1912-October 8, 1953)
    Born in Higher Walton, England, United Kingdom
    Contralto
    Recorded works by Bach, Handel, Mahler, Schumann, Schubert, Brahms and English folk songs
    Performed at the first six Edinburgh International Festivals (1947-52)
    Last appearance in Gluck's 'Orfeo ed Euridice' (1953)

Why she might be annoying:

    She gave herself the nickname 'Klever Kaff.'
    She dropped out of school at 14 to become a telephone operator.
    She first sang in public on a dare from her husband.
    Her marriage was annulled after 12 years on the grounds of nonconsumation.

Why she might not be annoying:

    Conductor Bruno Walter said the two greatest musical experiences of his life were having known Ferrier and Mahler 'in that order.'
    Benjamin Britten wrote the opera 'The Rape of Lucretia' for her.
    She was called 'probably the most celebrated woman in Britain after the Queen.'
    During her last appearance, her femur, which had been weakened by metastasized cancer, fractured; despite the pain, she finished the performance without the audience realizing anything unusual had happened.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 17 Votes: 52.94% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 18 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 22 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 64 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 60 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 108 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 16 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 179 Votes: 43.02% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 485 Votes: 40.0% Annoying