On this day, Mattiwilda Dobbs became the first African American to sing a romantic lead role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She starred as Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto, breaking barriers in one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world.
Dobbs’ performance was not only a milestone for representation in classical music but also a defining moment in the Civil Rights Era’s cultural front. A coloratura soprano with extraordinary range and skill, she went on to become one of the first African American singers to achieve a major international opera career, performing in major houses across Europe and the U.S.
© 2025 KnowThyHistory.com. Know Thy History
