Dr. Sheila Armstrong (born 13 August 1942) is an English soprano, equally noted for

opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a libr ...

oratorio An oratorio () is a large musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists. Like most operas, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an instrumental ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias. However, opera is ...

, symphonic music and lieder. Armstrong was born in

Ashington Ashington is a town and civil parish in Northumberland, England, with a population of 27,864 at the 2011 Census. It was once a centre of the coal mining industry. The town is north of Newcastle upon Tyne, west of the A189 and bordered to the ...

. Educated at the Royal Academy of Music, she was winner of the Mozart Prize and of the

Kathleen Ferrier Award The Kathleen Ferrier Award is a prestigious contest for Opera singers held each April in London, England. The first competition was held in 1956. According to the ''Telegraph'', the competition has a record of "spotting winners". Originally conc ...

in 1965, and was a trustee of the award fund.The Kathleen Ferrier Awards
She was active in English opera and oratorio from 1965, making her Covent Garden debut in 1983, and appeared in concert and

recital A concert is a live music performance in front of an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, choir, or band. Concerts are held in a wide variety ...

s, again mainly in England. She also made many recordings, notably of English music. Armstrong retired in 1993, at the age of 51.

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Sheila Armstrong (Soprano)
bach-cantatas.com 1942 births Living people Alumni of the Royal Academy of Music English operatic sopranos People from Ashington Musicians from Northumberland 20th-century British women opera singers {{UK-music-bio-stub