Helen Phillips, Born somewhere in 1919, was an American dramatic lyric soprano who broke though racial barriers as a concert singer. She was the first black singer to perform with the Metropolitan Opera Chorus. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Helen was primarily a concert singer, touring the United States, Europe, Africa, and South America. She was recognized for her interpretation of German Lieder and Negro spirituals. Being Fluent in German, she also toured Austria and West Germany for the State Department after World War II. After retiring from the stage, she became a teacher of music and a vocal coach until her death at age 86, from heart disease at the Isabella Geriatric Center in Manhattan.
Helen Phillips, pioneer in classical music.
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