Tatum, Nancy
This American dramatic soprano remains a figure of mystery. During the 1960s and ‘70s Tatum sang all over the country and all over the world, in major houses, but few remember her today. There is little available biographical material to indicate why her career was short-lived, or what became of her. ” Tatum had a massive, thrilling voice and the talent and temperament to back it up.” (Opera News)
Born in Memphis, Tennessee (sources vary as to whether it was 1934 or 1937), Tatum worked as a secretary until making her stage debut as Aida at Oper Saarbrücken in 1963. Her single La Scala appearance was in 1966, as Senta, and her single Met appearance was in 1974, as Turandot opposite Corelli. One year later she debuted at New York City Opera, also as Turandot, and sang the role at NYCO several times over the next few seasons. Tatum took on most of the leading dramatic soprano roles — including Gioconda, Lady Macbeth, and Brünnhilde — in the opera companies of the major European cities. Sadly, her Adalgisa and the Norma of Elena Suliotis were roundly booed at Carnegie Hall during an American Opera Society concert in 1967.
