(AURN News) — On Aug. 13, 1948, Kathleen Battle was born in Portsmouth, Ohio. Today, she turns 78.
Battle became one of the most celebrated Black voices in classical music, known for her clear, bright sound and a career that reached some of the world’s biggest stages.
She began singing in church as a child and later worked as a music teacher before building a professional singing career.
In 1977, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut, where she became a star.
Battle performed at Carnegie Hall and with music groups around the world. Her recordings earned her five Grammy Awards.
She has brought Black spirituals to major concert stages, connecting classical music with Black history and faith.
Decades into her career, Battle remains an important figure whose voice, success and influence have opened doors and left a lasting mark on American classical music.
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