        |
HALL of FAME INDUCTEES
NELL RANKIN
Born in Montgomery, Nell Rankin traveled to Birmingham at the age of 14 to study voice with Jeanne Lorraine at the Birmingham Conservatory of Music. While still a teenager, she moved to New York where she continued her studies with Conrad V. Bos and Karin Branzell.
She made her professional debut with a recital at Town Hall in New York, and then moved to Europe to continue her vocal training. In 1950, she made her bow in opera as Ortrud in "Lohengrin" at the Zurich State Opera, and during the year she was a member of that company, gave 126 performances in 16 roles. She became the first American to capture first prize in the International Concours de la Musique in Geneva. She was a member of the Basel State Opera and in 1951 made her debut at La Scala.
In 1951 she joined the Metropolitan Opera appearing in the role of Amneris. Her debut at Covent Garden in London was in the role of Carmen in 1953. She returned to the role in 1955 to debut with the San Francisco Opera.
In 1972, Miss Rankin was honored by the Birmingham Arts Festival, and was elected to the American Hall of Fame.