September 6, 2025
Athens, GR 14 C
Expand search form
Blog

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.

Previous Article

Another English cathedral faces choir crisis

Next Article

Creating a personal world: Ethel Smyth’s earliest orchestral work alongside contemporary pieces by inti figgis-vizueta and Ying Wang

You might be interested in …

Top German bassoon, RIP

Top German bassoon, RIP

The death has been communicated of Klaus Thunemann, principal bassoon in Hamburg in the 1960s and 70s, an international soloist and a lasting influence on the next two generations of performers. Klaus was 88. The […]

King gongs New

King gongs New

The conductor Gemma New has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday Honours. New, 37, said she was thrilled that the role of orchestral music in New […]

Biz news: New-talent agency shuts down

Biz news: New-talent agency shuts down

The board of Astral Artists, a Philadelphia agency, have ordered its closure after being unable to raise more funds. Astral, founded in 1992, pursued engagements for young artists without taking commission. Among its proteges were […]