Janet Baker
(1933-), SingerDame Janet Abbott Baker
Sitter in 12 portraits
One of the leading mezzo-sopranos of her generation, equally renowned for her opera, oratori and recital performances. Baker made her operatic debut in 1956, and from the mid 1960s appeared at Glyndebourne and Covent Garden with the English Opera Group. She sung the title role in The Rape of Lucretia on tour in Russia (1964), and the role of Kate Julian in Owen Wingrave (1967) was created for her. Baker sang pieces from Britten's early operetta, Paul Bunyan at the 1974 Aldeburgh Festival, and the following year her performance in Berlioz's cycle Nuit d'été was a festival highlight. As a result Britten was inspired to write for her the dramatic cantata Phaedra (1975).
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 25 April 1977
NPG P1140
by Lord Snowdon
vintage bromide print, 18 November 1981
NPG P800
by Daphne Todd
oil on board, 1987
NPG 5987
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 13 October 1969
NPG x163834
by Godfrey MacDomnic
bromide print on card mount, 1970
NPG x76988
by Press Association Photos
bromide press print, February 1976
NPG x184160
by Unknown photographer
bromide press print, January 1979
NPG x184161
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