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Patrice Munsel

A comprehensive exploration of the life and career of a celebrated American coloratura soprano.

Early Life ๐Ÿ‘‡ Her Career ๐ŸŽถ

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Early Years

Birth and Origins

Patrice Beverly Munsil, later altering her surname's spelling, was born on May 14, 1925, in Spokane, Washington. She spent her formative years there until the age of fifteen. Her father, Audley J. Munsil, was a local dentist.

Early Education and Move

She attended Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane. At fifteen, accompanied by her mother, she relocated to New York City to pursue vocal studies under the tutelage of Giacomo Spadoni.

Career Highlights

Metropolitan Opera Debut

At the remarkable age of 17, Munsel participated in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions of the Air. Her rendition of the "Mad Scene" from Lucia di Lammermoor secured her a contract with the Metropolitan Opera, making her the youngest singer ever to debut there. Her official debut occurred on December 4, 1943, at 18, as Philine in Mignon. This early success led to a substantial contract, earning her approximately $100,000 annually through various appearances.

Renowned Roles and Acclaim

Munsel became widely recognized for her portrayals of Adele in Die Fledermaus and Despina in Cosรฌ fan tutte. Throughout her tenure, she performed 225 times at the Metropolitan Opera. Sir Rudolf Bing lauded her as a "superb soubrette," suggesting she was the world's best in her category. Other notable roles included Rosina in The Barber of Seville and Gilda in Rigoletto.

Television and Stage Appearances

Her husband, Robert C. Schuler, produced the ABC-TV primetime variety series The Patrice Munsel Show, which featured her prominently during the 1957โ€“1958 season. Munsel also appeared on numerous other television programs, including a notable live telecast of the operetta Naughty Marietta in 1955. She portrayed opera singer Rosa Monetebello in an episode of The Wild, Wild West and Lola Tuscany in Checkmate. In 1953, she starred as the title character in the film Melba, chronicling the life of Dame Nellie Melba.

Later Career and Retirement

Munsel was a frequent guest on The Bell Telephone Hour and appeared on the quiz show What's My Line?. She was also the central singer in a mid-1960s Camp Fire Girls commercial. After her final Metropolitan Opera performance in 1958, she transitioned to performing in musical comedies. She retired from performing in 2008.

Personal Life & Legacy

Marriage and Family

In 1952, Patrice Munsel married Robert C. Schuler, an advertising executive, producer, and writer. Their marriage lasted 55 years until his passing in 2007. Together, they had four children: Heidi (born 1953), Rhett (1955โ€“2005), Scott (born 1958), and Nicole (born 1959). The younger two children were born prematurely, a subject Munsel later wrote about.

Memoir and Passing

Patrice Munsel and Robert C. Schuler co-authored a memoir in 2005 titled The Diva & I: My Life with Metropolitan Opera Star Patrice Munsel. For many years, Munsel resided in Flower Hill, New York. She passed away at her home in Schroon Lake, New York, on August 4, 2016, at the age of 91.

Discography

Notable Recordings

Munsel's discography includes significant contributions to the world of opera and musical theatre. A notable recording is:

  • Selections from The King and I (1952): Following the official cast album, Munsel recorded a studio version as Anna, accompanied by Robert Merrill as the King, and featuring Dinah Shore and Tony Martin. This album was primarily accompanied by Henri Renรฉ & His Orchestra.

Video Appearances

Recorded Performances

Munsel's presence extended to various visual media throughout her career:

  • Texaco Star Theater television appearance (September 25, 1951)
  • The Patrice Munsel Show (ABC-TV primetime variety series, 1957โ€“1958)
  • Live telecast of Naughty Marietta (January 15, 1955)
  • Appearance as Rosa Monetebello in The Wild, Wild West (1969)
  • Appearance as Lola Tuscany in Checkmate
  • Starring role in the film Melba (1953)
  • Frequent appearances on The Bell Telephone Hour
  • Guest appearance on What's My Line? (February 2, 1958)
  • Camp Fire Girls commercial and song "Sing Around the Campfire" (mid-1960s)
  • Final Metropolitan Opera performance as La Pรฉrichole (January 28, 1958)
  • California production of Cole Porter's "Kiss Me, Kate" (1964)
  • Guest appearance during the 1966 Gala Farewell to the old opera house.

Online Video Resources:

  • Texaco Star Theater television appearance (September 25, 1951)
  • Looking back: Patrice Munsel (spokesman.com)
  • Video of January 31, 1958 episode (Internet Archive)
  • Hour of Power episode 553 May, 16, 1982 (YouTube)

References

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References

References

  1.  Patrice Munsel at IMDb
  2.  https://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/195377-kiss-me-kate-at-curran-theatre-1964
A full list of references for this article are available at the Patrice Munsel Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding music, performance, or historical accuracy. Always refer to official sources and consult with qualified experts for specific needs.

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