Eleanor Calbes Explained

Eleanor Calbes
Birth Date:20 February 1940
Birth Place:Aparri, Philippines
Occupation:soprano

Eleanor Calbes (20 February 1940 – 19 April 2016) was a Filipino soprano. Calbes performed globally until retiring in September 2012. She was inducted into the Mississauga Music Walk of Fame in 2013.

Early life and education

Calbes was born in Aparri, Cagayan in the Philippines. In 1961, she completed a diploma in education.[1] Calbes was also awarded a scholarship with The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.[2]

Career

Calbes began her opera career with the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company before performing with the Canadian Opera Company from 1963 to 1967 and becoming a Canadian citizen. Outside of Canada, Calbes sang in various parts of the world including the United States, Germany and the Philippines.[1] During her career, she appeared on and Off-Broadway. She played the role of Liat in the 1965 Off-Broadway revival of South Pacific at New York City Center, and the 1967 Off-Broadway revival at New York State Theatre. She played Tuptim in the 1968 Off-Broadway revival of The King and I at New York City Center. She made her Broadway debut[3] in 1970 in Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen in the role of Lotus Blossom.[4] She is often erroneously cited[5] as the first woman from the Philippines to appear on Broadway, however, this is not true. Neile Adams, born in Manila, appeared in the original Broadway productions of Kismet and The Pajama Game in the 1950s;[6] Jacqueline Awad appeared in the late 1960s Broadway engagement of the National Theatre of the Deaf. Calbes ended her singing career in 2012.[7]

Apart from singing, Calbes began directing musicals in 1983 with a production of The King and I and started Mississauga City Centre Opera in 1985.[1] Calbes also opened studios in dance and singing in Mississauga.

Personal life and death

Calbes was married twice. She had a child, actress and producer Lara Wickes with author David A.B. Wickes. The couple divorced and Eleanor married a fellow Canadian opera singer, John Davidson Thomson. [8]

She died at the age of 76 from cancer.[9] [8]

Awards and honors

In 1996, Calbes was chosen as the best musician of the year for Mississauga.[1] In 2013, Calbes was inducted into the Mississauga Music Walk of Fame.[10] The following year, she won the Laurie Pallett Patron of the Arts award at the 2014 Mississauga Arts Awards.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Encyclopedia: Litwack . Linda . Eleanor Calbes . Canadian Encyclopedia . 30 July 2007 . 15 March 2018.
  2. News: Wilson. Earl. BC Discovery Opens At Lincoln Centre. Ottawa Citizen. 24 June 1967. 16.
  3. Web site: Eleanor Calbes – Broadway Cast & Staff IBDB . 2024-03-02 . www.ibdb.com.
  4. Web site: Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen – Broadway Musical – Original IBDB . 2024-03-02 . www.ibdb.com.
  5. Web site: 2012-10-28 . Canada-based soprano Eleanor Calbes performs series of last curtain calls . 2024-03-02 . Lifestyle.INQ . en-US.
  6. Web site: Neile Adams – Broadway Cast & Staff IBDB . 2024-03-02 . www.ibdb.com.
  7. News: Tariman. Pablo A.. Canada-based soprano Eleanor Calbes performs series of last curtain calls. 16 March 2018. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 29 October 2012.
  8. News: Clay . Chris. Eleanor Calbes’ legacy lives on in Mississauga. Mississauga News . 15 March 2018. 26 April 2016.
  9. News: Eleanor Calbes Thomson, Feb. 20, 1940 – April 19, 2016. 17 March 2018. The Philippine Reporter. 13 May 2016.
  10. Web site: 2013 Inductees. MISSISSAUGA MUSIC WALK OF FAME. 15 March 2018.
  11. News: Clay . Chris. Arts awards celebrate Mississauga’s best. 17 March 2018 . Mississauga News. 9 May 2014.