Kathleen Ferrier (1912-1953), Singer
Sitter in 15 portraits
The contralto Kathleen Ferrier was one of the most renowned and popular singers of her generation. Her career was tragically short with little more than a decade separating her discovery, while working as a Post Office telephonist, to her death aged forty-one at the height of her fame. Among her most celebrated performances were roles in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice, Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius and Benjamin Britten's opera The Rape of Lucretia (1946); the title role of which was written for her.
by Maurice Codner
oil on canvas, 1946
On display in Room 31 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 6258
Kathleen Ferrier; Bruno Walter
by Bernard Dunstan
pencil and chalk, 1950
NPG 5040(1)
Kathleen Ferrier; Unknown sitter
by Bernard Dunstan
pencil, 1950
NPG 5040(5)
by Bernard Dunstan
oil on board, 1950
NPG 5043
by Cecil Beaton
vintage bromide print on white card mount, 1952
NPG P869(13)
by Norman Parkinson
bromide print on card mount, 1952
NPG x30024
Peter Pears; Benjamin Britten; Kathleen Ferrier
by Unknown photographer
bromide print, 1952
NPG x15229
Music
Groups
Classical musicians
Singers
Place
London
Thematic collections
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