On May 15, 1946, Camilla Ella Williams made her historic debut as Cio-Cio San in Madam Butterfly with the New York City Opera, becoming the first African American soprano to receive a regular contract with a major American opera company. Her groundbreaking performance shattered racial barriers in classical music and opened doors for generations of Black vocalists. Williams’ rich voice and emotive storytelling captivated audiences and critics alike, proving that talent could not be silenced by segregation. She later performed internationally and was a passionate advocate for civil rights, even singing at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral in 1968.
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