Marvis Lynn MartinCombined Talents Produce Sparkling 'Porgy & Bess' Stewart Woolley. Sarasota Journal. Google News. November 4, 1974. Retrieved March 3, 2016 (born April 7, 1954)Marvis L Martin in the U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1 is an American operatic soprano best known for her concert performances and recitals, including her renditions of Joseph Canteloube's Songs from the Auvergne and of Bess in Bobby McFerrin's touring concert version of Porgy and Bess.W.J. Fenza, "Mais Oui, ASO Soloist Can Sing More Than Bess", 01 November 1997, The Morning Call, Allentown, PA; available online , accessed 15 July 2010.
Hailed as "a lyric soprano of unusual brightness, evenness and quality" by The New York Times and winner of several competition prizes,Music: Debuts in Review; Marvis Martin Offers American Songs John Rockwell. The New York Times. December 13, 1981. Retrieved March 3, 2016 Martin is acclaimed for her "beauty of voice and sensitive communication, receiving awards, medals and glowing reviews as a song recitalist, concert singer, and opera performer."Frost Alumni Achievements. Marvis Martin, B.M. '77 Frost School of Music. University of Miami. 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
Early life and education Martin was born in Tallahassee, Florida, but grew up in Miami, where she sang professionally by age five.David Nicholson, "Soprano Chooses A More Relaxed Schedule: Talented Classical Singer Will Perform At CNU", 14 October 1993, Daily Press (Virginia); available online here, accessed 15 July 2010. She trained at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in 1977. She subsequently obtained a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music. She then studied under Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and was also a protégée of Alice Tully.Donal Henahan, "Menotti Salute to Alice Tully", 25 October 1982, The New York Times; available online here, accessed 15 July 2010.
Career Martin made her professional debut in 1981 as part of the Young Concert Artists Series; the New York Times review called her "promising" and said that "at her best, she displayed a talent and a temperament that could make her an important singer."John Rockwell, "Debuts in Review; Marvis Martin Offers American Songs", 13 December 1981, The New York Times; available online here, accessed 15 July 2010. She debuted with the Metropolitan Opera in 1982, singing the role of "Pamina" in a touring production of The Magic Flute.Metropolitan Opera Archives Online, accessed 15 July 2010. Over the next few years, she received "awards, medals and glowing reviews as a song recitalist, concert singer and opera performer."Donal Henahan, "Review/Recital; A Soprano Who Reveals Herself", 07 April 1988, The New York Times; available online here, accessed 15 July 2010. At the Met, she performed in operas like Boris Godunov, Don Carlo, Ariadne auf Naxos, Porgy and Bess, and Idomeneo.
As her career matured, she focused more on recitals and concert performances than opera, claiming, "I love opera, but don't necessarily love all the hubbub." She has also slowed her touring pace, saying, "I don't think that's a healthy way of life [...] I love going to the next city, but my jobs are spread out nicely." She has performed with numerous orchestras, including the Boston Symphony OrchestraBoston Symphony Orchestra concert programs Worldcat.org. Digital Archive Retrieved March 3, 2016 and the New York Philharmonic, where music director and principal conductor Zubin Mehta programmed a piece for her.SOPRANO MARVIS MARTIN IS AT EASE WITH SONGS OF THE SOUTH Greensboro News & Record. BH Media Group, Inc. February 20, 1992. Retrieved March 3, 2016
Martin has said she especially enjoys returning to Florida for performances. In 1987, she was named the "Distinguished Alumni" honoree by the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.Distinguished Alumni Awards , accessed 15 July 2010. In 1988, she was awarded the "Florida Prize," a $10,000 award by The New York Times Company "to a Florida native or resident for outstanding work in the visual and performing arts.""Soprano Wins $10,000", 2 February 1988, The New York Times; available online here, accessed 15 July 2010.
Honors and awards Florida Prize. New York Times Company, regional newspaper group, 1988Soprano Wins $10,000. NYT. February 2, 1988. Retrieved March 3, 2016. Distinguished Alumna. Frost School of Music. University of Miami, 1987Marvin Martin. University of Miami. Frost School of Music. 1987 Distinguished Alumna Frost School of Music. University of Miami. 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016. Michaels Award of Young Concert Artists. Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center. New York NY, 1981Review/Recital; A Soprano Who Reveals Herself Donal Henahan. The New York Times. April 7, 1988. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
References
External links Marvin Martin. University of Miami. Frost School of Music. 1987 Distinguished Alumna Marvis Martin. The Metropolitan Opera
Marvis Martin. Broadwayworld.com