Barbara Cook | |
|---|---|
 Cook in 2009 | |
| Born | October 25, 1927 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | August 8, 2017 (aged 89) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1950–2017 |
| Spouse |
David LeGrant
(m. 1952; div. 1965) |
| Children | 1 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Musical theatre, traditional pop |
| Labels | Urania (1958–1959) Columbia (1975–1977) Moss Music Group (1981–1988) DRG (1993–2017) |
| Website | Official website |
Barbara Cook (October 25, 1927 – August 8, 2017) was an American actress and singer who first came to prominence in the 1950s as the lead in the original Broadway musicals Plain and Fancy (1955), Candide (1956) and The Music Man (1957) among others, winning a Tony Award for the last. She continued performing mostly in theatre until the mid-1970s, when she began a second career as a cabaret and concert singer. She also made numerous recordings.
During her years as Broadway’s leading ingénue, Cook was lauded for her excellent lyric soprano voice. She was particularly admired for her vocal agility, wide range, warm sound, and emotive interpretations. As she aged her voice took on a darker quality, even in her head voice, that was less prominent in her youth.[1] At the time of her death, Cook was widely recognized as one of the "premier interpreters" of musical theatre songs and standards, in particular the songs of composer Stephen Sondheim. Her subtle and sensitive interpretations of American popular song continued to earn high praise even into her eighties.[2] She was named an honoree at the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors.
- ^ Howard Goldstein: "Barbara Cook", Grove Music Online ed. L. Macy (Accessed December 4, 2008), (subscription access) Archived May 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Witchel, Alex (April 17, 2005). "Alone, Again". The New York Times. Archived from the original (reprint) on October 29, 2007. Retrieved May 18, 2007.