Wilhelmenia Fernandez was an operatic soprano who toured the world and starred in the cult classic 1981 film “Diva.”
- Died: February 2, 2024 (Who else died on February 2?)
- Details of death: Died in Lexington, Kentucky, of cancer at the age of 75.
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Wilhelmenia Fernandez’s legacy
Fernandez grew up in Philadelphia and was already catching ears at the age of five, when she sang at Tasker Street Baptist Church. Her talent led her to study at the Settlement Music School, the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, and finally the Juilliard School in New York City. She was in Paris singing “La bohème” when filmmakers approached her about appearing in their upcoming movie.
The result was “Diva,” a French film released in 1981 about a black opera singer who will not allow her performances to be recorded. A fan does so anyway, setting into motion a series of unfortunate events. Credited as Wilhelmina Wiggins-Fernandez, her performance won her raves, and the film has since become a cult classic, thanks in part to high praise by critic Roger Ebert.
Fernandez would continue to perform after “Diva,” but rarely on screen; a notable exception was her appearance on “Sesame Street” in the show’s 1990-1991 season. Her voice brought her around the world and earned her a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award as Best Actress in a Musical for her 1982 role in “Carmen Jones.” However, disliking the limelight, she retired from music and moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where she taught special education. However, her love of music endured, and she worked with the children’s music program at Main Street Baptist Church through her retirement.
On why she did the film “Diva”:
“I thought that I would be able use it as a vehicle of introducing classical music and opera, even some drama — not that I’m acting much in the film — to a completely different audience who are probably not accustomed to going to the opera or hearing classical music. More and more, I find in doing recitals and concerts that the audience is younger and younger, and it’s because they have seen the film.”—from a 1987 interview with Bruce Duffie
Tributes to Wilhelmenia Fernandez
Full obituary: The New York Times
