November 21, 2025
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Cancer claims US coloratura soprano, 48

Cancer claims US coloratura soprano, 48

Eighteen months after diagnosis, the much-loved singer and voice teacher Debbie Lifton has died of cancer at the age of 48, leaving a bereaved husband, Dan, and child, Maria.

Her death was announced by the Hartt Department of Vocal Studies in western Connecticut:

We are heartbroken to share the news of Associate Professor Deborah Lifton’s passing after a courageous battle with cancer. She was a stunning singer, communicator, and artist who touched people with her unique and varied performances. All of Deb’s students, colleagues, and friends know how special she was and benefitted from her amazing ability to bring out the best in them. Our community is left stronger and better because of Deb’s impact, and we will always honor her in the music we make.
We look forward to sharing details for a celebration of Deb’s life and her contributions to The Hartt School, as well as a memorial scholarship fund in her name.

Among many achievements, Debbie Ms. Lifton took part in American Opera Projects’ Composers and the Voice Series, working closely with new composers. She appeared as Sally Follet in Center for Contemporary Opera’s production of William Mayer’s A Death in the Family at the Avignon Opera in France and Millicent in the world premiere of Michael Dellaira’s The Secret Agent at the Szeged National Theater in Hungary.

The post Cancer claims US coloratura soprano, 48 appeared first on Slippedisc.

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