Lillian (Evans) Evanti, one of the first African American women to become an internationally prominent opera performer, was born in Washington D.C. in 1891.  Evanti was born into a prominent Washington, D.C. family.  Her father, Wilson Evans, was a medical doctor and teacher in the city.  He was the founder of Armstrong Technical High School and served many years as its principal.  Anne Brooks, Evanti’s mother, taught music in the public school system of Washington D.C. Evanti received her education from Armstrong Technical High School and graduated from Howard University in 1917 with her bachelor’s degree in music.  A gifted student and performer, she was able to speak and sing in five different languages.  The following year she and Roy W. Tibbs, her Howard University music professor, married and had a son, Thurlow Tibbs. Combining her maiden and married names into the stage name, Evanti, a lyric soprano, began singing professionally in 1918.  Her career progressed slowly until she moved to France in 1925 where she became the first African American to sing with a European opera company.  From France she traveled around Europe and on occasion returned to the United States to perform.  During her travels she gave radio … Continue reading Lillian Evans Annie/Evanti (1891-1967)