Martina Arroyo

Martina Arroyo was one of the major American singers who suddenly appeared on the international vocal scene in the 1950s and '60s. She was also a leader in a pioneering generation of Black American singers who followed the example of Marian Anderson in breaking barriers on the opera and concert stages. She was a classic spinto soprano, tailor-made for the most powerful Verdi roles, yet was able to handle Mozart parts with the necessary lightness and flexibility. Arroyo was invited to sing her first leading role at the Met in 1965 as a last-minute substitute for Birgit Nilsson as Aïda. She went on to become one of the favorite stars of the Met. She made over 50 recordings in a wide variety of repertory from oratorio to spirituals. Arroyo died at the age of 89 in October 2026.