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Portia White

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Canadian opera singer (1911-1968)

CanadaMusiciansLived 1911 to 1968 · aged 56
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Fame44.4
MomentumNot measured
Languages9
In century#91,834

Portia May White was a Canadian contralto, known for becoming the first Black Canadian concert singer to achieve international fame. Growing up as part of her father's church choir in Halifax, Nova Scotia, White competed in local singing competitions as a teenager and later trained at the Halifax Conservatory of Music.

Photos 5

Awards 1

Person of National Historic Significance

Musicians from Canada 6

About this person

Portia May White was a Canadian contralto, known for becoming the first Black Canadian concert singer to achieve international fame. Growing up as part of her father's church choir in Halifax, Nova Scotia, White competed in local singing competitions as a teenager and later trained at the Halifax Conservatory of Music. In 1941 and 1944, she made her national and international debuts as a singer, receiving critical acclaim for her performances of both classical European music and African-American spirituals. White later completed tours throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Country
Canada
Category
Musicians
Type
Singer / Musician
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1911 to 1968 · aged 56
Written about in
9 languages

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