Jan (Janice) DeGaetani (July 10, 1933 – September 15, 1989) was an American mezzo-soprano known for her performances of contemporary classical vocal compositions.
DeGaetani was born in Massillon, Ohio. Educated at The Juilliard School with Sergius Kagen, she was best known for her wide range, precise pitch, clear tone, and command of extended techniques that made her voice perfectly suited to the demanding style of modern and avant-garde vocal composition. Her recording of Schoenberg's song cycle Pierrot lunaire is one of the classic recordings of the piece. (Due to its use of atonality, wide range, and virtuoso techniques such as sprechstimme, all while requiring a lyrical sensibility, it is exceptionally difficult to sing.) Her collaboration with George Crumb was also a fruitful one; she premiered his song cycle Ancient Voices of Children, and many of his other works were written for her. Uncommonly for a singer of her caliber (though her voice was not as powerful as most), DeGaetani rarely appeared in opera, instead concentrating on solo recital work in the art song literature.
Her talent at foreign languages also made her an accomplished interpreter of lieder; she sang and recorded works by composers such as Hugo Wolf, Hector Berlioz, and Gustav Mahler and was noted for her intelligence and skillful analytical interpretation. Her interpretive skills also lent themselves to songs in her native tongue of English, such as Aaron Copland's 12 Poems of Emily Dickinson, and the songs of Charles Ives. On the other end of the spectrum, DeGaetani was also a noted performer of the medieval and Renaissance repertoire.
DeGaetani made her New York performance debut in 1958. Afterward, she performed with the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble regularly, and also appeared with several world-famous orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, the BBC Symphony, and the Chicago Symphony, and made numerous recordings with them and in chamber ensembles. She was professor of voice at Eastman School of Music and Artist in Residence at the Aspen Music Festival from 1973 until her death. Notable students include American sopranos Dawn Upshaw, Karen Holvik, Renée Fleming, and Lucy Shelton, mezzo-sopranos Milagro Vargas and Mary Nessinger, and baritone William Sharp.
DeGaetani died in Rochester, New York, in 1989, aged 56, of leukemia.
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Some of their strengths
Jan DeGaetani has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Creative, Imaginative, Compassionate, Loyal, Intense, Kind, and Altruistic.
Intuitive and Imaginative
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Jan DeGaetani is someone who is a highly intuitive, creative and imaginative person who is very loyal, caring and compassionate to others. A person who is known for being diligent and strong.
Warm and Caring
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Jan DeGaetani well know them as someone who can be warm, caring, and compassionate, like a lamp or torch.
Organized and Achievement-oriented
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Jan DeGaetani as someone who is organized, goal-oriented, practical, and persevering.
Who is hardworking, intellectual, and easygoing, who loves higher education and learning and sharing ideas with others, and who loves healthy competition.
Assertive and Protective
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Jan DeGaetani is someone who is a somewhat private person who has a strong personality and ability to read other people.
They are also someone who is confident and creative, and who has a love for starting new projects, inventing new things, and giving back to the community.
Traditional and Patient
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Jan DeGaetani tends to be someone who is a patient person that is very emotional, has a very sharp memory, has an ability to understand people, and who tends to be traditional and frugal.
Some of Jan DeGaetani's challenges
While Jan DeGaetani has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Jan DeGaetani can be Callous, Emotional, Standoffish, Indecisive, Unrealistic, Rebellious, and Emotionally Distant.
Emotional and Standoffish
One of Jan DeGaetani's key challenges is that they are someone who can be emotional and standoffish.
Callous and Selfish
Jan DeGaetani is someone who can be standoffish, pessimistic, and ruthless, who can have difficulty concentrating and be impatient, can have difficulty discovering the keys to personal contentment, and who can have a tendency to overwork and hoard wealth and possessions.
Sensitive and Money-oriented
Finally, Jan DeGaetani also can have mood swings, be overly sensititive, and be a bit rigid and materialistic.
