Opera Singer. A soprano sometimes called "the Armenian Yma Sumac", she is remembered for her long career on the New York stage. Born Anita Esgandarian, she demonstrated her talent early, eventually developed a four octave range, studied at Philadelphia's Curtis Institute and New York's Juilliard, and after settling in the Big Apple supported herself singing commercial jingles, then first attracted notice during the 1950s as lead vocalist with the Sauter-Finegan jazz band, with whom she cut her first records. Soon appearing as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, she was heard with the New York City Opera and on Broadway, her more noted roles including Julie in "Showboat", Lady Thiang of "The King and I", Helen Chao from "Flower Drum Song", and Princess Margaret in Sigmund Romberg's "The Student Prince". A regular on such programs as "The Bell Telephone Hour" and "The Jack Paar Show", in 1961 she made her most listened-to recording, albeit anonymously, when she provided background on the Tokens' mega-hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". Chosen for the cast of a 1965 revival of Gian Carlo Menotti's "The Saint of Bleeker Street", she was selected by Leonard Bernstein to sing Leonora in a 1970 production of Beethoven's "Fidelio"; Anita toured the country for a number of years, performing with such ensembles as the Cleveland Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Later a popular figure on the New York Cabaret circuit, she lived out her days on Long Island and died of surgical complications. At her demise she could be heard on a large number of recordings, among them those of several Broadway revivals.
Opera Singer. A soprano sometimes called "the Armenian Yma Sumac", she is remembered for her long career on the New York stage. Born Anita Esgandarian, she demonstrated her talent early, eventually developed a four octave range, studied at Philadelphia's Curtis Institute and New York's Juilliard, and after settling in the Big Apple supported herself singing commercial jingles, then first attracted notice during the 1950s as lead vocalist with the Sauter-Finegan jazz band, with whom she cut her first records. Soon appearing as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, she was heard with the New York City Opera and on Broadway, her more noted roles including Julie in "Showboat", Lady Thiang of "The King and I", Helen Chao from "Flower Drum Song", and Princess Margaret in Sigmund Romberg's "The Student Prince". A regular on such programs as "The Bell Telephone Hour" and "The Jack Paar Show", in 1961 she made her most listened-to recording, albeit anonymously, when she provided background on the Tokens' mega-hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". Chosen for the cast of a 1965 revival of Gian Carlo Menotti's "The Saint of Bleeker Street", she was selected by Leonard Bernstein to sing Leonora in a 1970 production of Beethoven's "Fidelio"; Anita toured the country for a number of years, performing with such ensembles as the Cleveland Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Later a popular figure on the New York Cabaret circuit, she lived out her days on Long Island and died of surgical complications. At her demise she could be heard on a large number of recordings, among them those of several Broadway revivals.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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