The legacy of Zinka Milanov

This study documents the musical life of Zinka Milanov, a distinguished Metropolitan Opera dramatic soprano who lived from 1906 to 1989. In this writer's opinion, the Yugoslavian-born singer ranks with Maria Callas and Renata Tebaldi in accomplishments and legacy, although her acclaim has been less notable.This study reveals that Milanov had a distinguished Metropolitan Opera career, leaves a legacy of 226 recordings with unsurpassable high-register pianissimo spinning tones and elegant phrasing, was supported by a fan club and by sold-out opera houses, and maintained an active career on three continents.This writer shares a similar Eastern European heritage with Milanov and was inspired by a former voice teacher to listen to legendary Milanov recordings while learning the spinto-dramatic soprano repertory. Milanov's artistry on these recordings demonstrates a bel canto style of singing which aspiring vocal artists may well strive to emulate. For these reasons, and because no previous complete study exists about Zinka Milanov's life and career, this research is a unique chronological document of Milanov's operatic career.In 1995, this researcher was granted access to The Metropolitan Opera Archives to collect data. Information on Milanov's musical career from scrapbooks, articles, reviews, interviews, photographs, contracts, fan club newsletters, personal letters and telegrams, is presented in chapter three.This research provides summaries and discussion of each Metropolitan Opera season; it includes the number of Metropolitan Opera performances, opera titles, names of cast members and conductors, and Milanov's salary. A complete listing of recordings of Milanov's performances is provided in Appendices 1 and 2. Historic photographs of Milanov in various operatic roles are found throughout this study.Chapter four contains this writer's insights on Milanov's vocal technique. Teachers of voice may be interested in learning her method.School of MusicThesis (D.A.