Biography
Who is Barbara Hendricks?
Early life and education
Born in Stephens, Arkansas, Barbara Hendricks grew up in a household centered around music and faith. Her mother worked as a teacher, and her father served as a preacher within the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. The family relocated frequently across the Deep South during her childhood. While residing in Little Rock, she attended Horace Mann High School and participated in the local choir led by Art Porter Sr. This experience exposed her to a diverse collection of jazz music.
Operatic and musical career
In 1974, she began her professional career with debuts at the Glyndebourne Festival in Europe and the San Francisco Opera in the United States. Throughout her career, she has performed at prestigious venues such as the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, and the Opéra National de Paris. One well-known performance occurred in 1998, when she portrayed Liù in a production of Turandot staged at the Forbidden City in Beijing. Over the years, she has performed over twenty distinct operatic roles.
Humanitarian service and recognition
Her commitment to humanitarian causes was influenced by her experiences growing up in Arkansas during the Jim Crow era. In 1987, she began her tenure as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, becoming the longest-serving individual in that role. She received the title of Honorary Lifetime Goodwill Ambassador in 2002. Her work has involved extensive travel across Asia, Africa, and Europe, often involving participation in Nansen Refugee Award ceremonies. In 1998, she established the Barbara Hendricks Foundation for Peace and Reconciliation to support conflict resolution.
Birthday and age
Barbara Hendricks was born on November 20, 1948, which makes Barbara 77 years old today. That birthday falls under the Scorpio sign. Barbara shares the date with 30 other famous people.
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