Before Classical Crossover became the genre we know today, many different artists helped influence and popularize the sound. Many legitimate singers were able to achieve mainstream popularity on the big screen or by crossing over to musicals.
Here are some of the most notable voices who can be said to be early influences of the genre.
The Italian bass Ezio Pinza spent 22 seasons at the Metropolitan Opera. In April 1949, he created the role of Emile de Becque in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific.
Gordon MacRae sang at the 1939 New York World’s Fair and soon after debuted on Broadway. He is famous for his roles in “Oklahoma” and “Carousel.” He later even had his own radio show and was featured in many films alongside Doris Day.
At 18, Patrice Munsel was the youngest singer ever contracted at the Metropolitan Opera. She shared her music through her own TV show ‘The Patrice Munsel Show’ and in a live broadcast of ‘Naughty Marietta.’
Barbara Cook is a beloved Broadway actress who shared her coloratura soprano voice in productions like “Candide” and “The Music Man”.
Another early inspiration comes from the career of American born soprano Anna Moffo. She was a lead soprano at the Metropolitan Opera and is known for her contributions to that genre. However, Moffo also was a television personality with her own special “The Anna Moffo Show.” The show allowed her…
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