author
Kathleen Howard
1884–1956
An acclaimed mezzo-soprano who later reinvented herself on screen, she moved from the Metropolitan Opera to Hollywood character roles with unusual ease. Her life also reached the page through writing and editorial work, making her career broader than most performers of her era.
1 Audiobook
Confessions of an Opera Singer
by Kathleen Howard
About the author
Born in Clifton, Ontario, and raised in Buffalo, Kathleen Howard built her early reputation as a singer before becoming known internationally in opera. She performed with the Metropolitan Opera beginning in 1916 and was especially associated with strong supporting and character parts, including roles in works by Wagner and Puccini.
Howard was more than a performer. She wrote the memoir Confessions of an Opera Singer and later worked as a magazine editor, showing a lively interest in fashion and culture as well as music. That mix of stage experience and sharp personality helped her stand out in several fields.
In the 1930s and 1940s, she took on a second public life as a film character actress. Movie audiences came to know her in memorable supporting roles, including appearances in It's a Gift and Ball of Fire.