Search Results - Smith, Jane Stuart

Jane Stuart Smith

Jane Stuart Smith, also known on the stage as Gianna Stuart, (September 29, 1925 – January 14, 2016) was an American soprano, hymnologist, and author.

A native of Virginia, Smith trained as a singer at Hollins College, the Juilliard School, the Tanglewood Music Center, and privately under her principal voice teacher Ettore Verna. She had an active international career as an opera singer during the 1950s. Making her opera debut in Detroit in 1951, she had a prominent career in opera houses in Europe, especially Italy. She was acclaimed for her portrayals of Brünnhilde in Wagner's ''Ring'' cycle and the title role in Puccini's ''Turandot''.

Smith abandoned her successful opera career after becoming a born-again Christian, making her last opera appearance in 1959. Thereafter she devoted her life to Christian service. She worked for the evangelical Christian organization L'Abri and resided in that organization's religious commune in Huémoz-sur-Ollon, Switzerland. In addition to her work as international secretary for L'Abri, she assisted in establishing a music ensemble at the organization with which she toured in public concerts. With fellow L'Abri worker Betty Carlson she co-authored several books, most of which were about hymns and hymn writers. In her later years she lived in Roanoke, Virginia, where she died in 2016. The History Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke has a permanent exhibit dedicated to Smith. Provided by Wikipedia