Nan Merriman

Composers

Biography

Born: April 28, 1920; Pittsburgh, PA  
Mezzo-soprano Nan (born Katherine-Ann) Merriman was one of America's leading opera singers for two decades following World War II.

She studied singing in Los Angeles with Alexis Bassian and Lotte Lehmann. Before she was 20 she was earning money as a singer for film soundtracks. In that capacity, she attracted the attention of Laurence Olivier. When the great British actor put together a touring company (including his wife, Vivian Leigh) Read more to perform Romeo and Juliet around the United States he engaged Merriman to join. Her part was to sing arias by Palestrina and Purcell during scenery changes.

Her debut in opera was at the Cincinnati Zoo, where the Cincinnati Summer Opera had its regular season. The role was La Cieca in La Gioconda. Then she entered a singing competition sponsored by NBC Radio, winning the top prize, which included being given 15 minutes of national network airtime to sing a brief recital.

Looking for new talent, conductor Arturo Toscanini listened to that broadcast, liked Merriman's voice, and engaged her for several broadcast concerts and recordings which included the title role of Gluck's Orfeo, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, and the Verdi roles of Emilia (in Otello), Maddalena (in Rigoletto) and Meg Page (in Falstaff).

In the decade after the War she established herself as a successful singer on international stages, including opera houses in Vienna, Paris, Milan, Brussels, and Amsterdam, and was a favorite at the Chicago Lyric Opera and the San Francisco Opera. She sang in the British premiere of Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress at the Edinburgh Festival of 1953, as Baba the Turk. An even more unusual role was the part of Laura in The Stone Guest, by the nineteenth-century Russian composer Dargomizhsky, in its century-delayed world premiere at Milan's Piccola Scala in 1958.

But her favorite and most-repeated role, on which she built a strong reputation in Europe, was Dorabella in Mozart's Così fan tutte. She debuted in that part at the Aix-en-Provence Festival in 1953, repeating it there in 1955 and 1959. She also sang it at the Piccola Scala and in the Glyndebourne Festival in 1956. She participated in two different complete recordings of Così.

These appearances established a strong demand for her in Europe as a concert and recital singer, particularly in the Netherlands. She had a rich, warm, and strong mezzo-soprano voice. In 1965, she retired voluntarily from singing, wishing to go out while still at the top of her vocal powers.

She continued to live in the Netherlands for eight years, but returned to the United States in 1973. Read less

Featured Nan Merriman CDs & DVDs:

Mozart: Così Fan Tutte / Karajan, Schwarzkopf, Merriman, Etc
Mozart: Così Fan Tutte / Karajan, Schwarzkopf, Merriman, Etc
Release Date: 09/21/1999   Label: Emi Great Recordings Of The Century  
Catalog: 67138   Number of Discs: 3
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Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte / Karajan, Schwarzkopf, Merriman, Panerai
Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte / Karajan, Schwarzkopf, Merriman, Panerai
Release Date: 04/05/2011   Label: Emi Classics  
Catalog: 48245   Number of Discs: 3
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Browse 1-25 of 48 Available Recordings
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  • 1.
    Nan Merriman Sings Opera Arias
    Label: Bellavoce   Catalog: 7702259 Release Date: 05/03/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Gaetano Donizetti,  Amilcare Ponchielli,  Giuseppe Verdi  ... 
    Performer:  Bruna Rizzoli,  Nan Merriman,  Sophia Van Sante,  Leo Ketelaars  ... 
    Conductor:  Eugen Jochum,  Arturo Basile,  Jean Fournet
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  • 2.
    Verdi - The Great Operas [18-CD Set]
    Verdi - The Great Operas [18-CD Set]
    Label: Regis   Catalog: 9012 Release Date: 03/07/2013   Number of Discs: 18
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Renato Ercolani,  Giuseppe Di Stefano,  Tito Gobbi,  William Dickie  ... 
    Conductor:  Tullio Serafin,  Gabriele Santini,  Gianandrea Gavazzeni,  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Milan Teatro alla Scala Orchestra,  Italian Radio Symphony Orchestra Turin,  Italian Radio Chorus Turin  ... 
    CD: $84.49
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  • 3.
    Verdi: The Great Operas [35-CDs]
    Verdi: The Great Operas [35-CDs]
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 167452 Release Date: 01/22/2013   Number of Discs: 35
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Anne Edwards,  Matteo Manuguerra,  Nicolai Ghiaurov,  Renata Scotto  ... 
    Conductor:  Riccardo Muti,  James Levine,  Tullio Serafin,  Antonio Pappano  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Ambrosian Opera Chorus,  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Milan Teatro alla Scala Chorus  ... 
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  • 4.
    Arturo Toscanini - The Complete RCA Collection [84 CDs + DVD]
    Arturo Toscanini - The Complete RCA Collection [84 CDs + DVD]
    Label: Rca   Catalog: 791631 Release Date: 07/10/2012   Number of Discs: 85
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Johannes Brahms,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Franz Joseph Haydn  ... 
    Performer:  Eileen Farrell,  Nan Merriman,  Jan Peerce,  Norman Scott  ... 
    Conductor:  Arturo Toscanini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  NBC Symphony Orchestra,  Robert Shaw Chorale,  NBC Symphony Chorus  ... 
    On sale! $149.98
    CD: $109.99
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  • 5.
    Verdi: Otello / Toscanini, Valdengo, Nelli, Chabay, Merriman, Moscona, Vinay, NBC
    Label: Widescreen   Catalog: 176 Release Date: 06/19/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Nan Merriman,  Arthur Newman,  Nicola Moscona,  Giuseppe Valdengo  ... 
    Conductor:  Arturo Toscanini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  NBC Symphony Chorus,  NBC Symphony Orchestra
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  • 6.
    Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte / Karajan, Schwarzkopf, Merriman, Panerai
    Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte / Karajan, Schwarzkopf, Merriman, Panerai
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 48245 Release Date: 04/05/2011   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    Performer:  Rolando Panerai,  Nan Merriman,  Lisa Otto,  Sesto Bruscantini  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia Orchestra
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  • 7.
    Verdi: Falstaff / Karajan, Gobbi, Schwarzkopf, Moffo, Alva
    Verdi: Falstaff / Karajan, Gobbi, Schwarzkopf, Moffo, Alva
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 48199 Release Date: 04/05/2011   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Fedora Barbieri,  Renato Ercolani,  Tito Gobbi,  Nan Merriman  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Philharmonia Chorus
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  • 8.
    Bernstein: Songfest, Symphony No 1 / Slatkin, Bernstein
    Bernstein: Songfest, Symphony No 1 / Slatkin, Bernstein
    Label: Rca Victor Red Seal   Catalog: 61581 Release Date: 03/10/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Leonard Bernstein
    Performer:  John Cheek,  Wendy White,  Patricia Spence,  Vernon Hartman  ... 
    Conductor:  Leonard Slatkin,  Leonard Bernstein
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
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  • 9.
    Toscanini Collection Vol 58 - Verdi: Otello
    Toscanini Collection Vol 58 - Verdi: Otello
    Label: Rca   Catalog: 60302 Release Date: 03/10/2011   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Leslie Chabay,  Virginio Assandri,  Ramon Vinay,  Herva Nelli  ... 
    Conductor:  Arturo Toscanini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  NBC Symphony Orchestra,  NBC Symphony Chorus
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  • 10.
    Verdi: Falstaff / Toscanini , Valdengo, Stich-randall Guarrerra
    Verdi: Falstaff / Toscanini , Valdengo, Stich-randall Guarrerra
    Label: Urania   Catalog: 413 Release Date: 11/30/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Nan Merriman,  Norman Scott,  John Carmen Rossi,  Gabor Carelli  ... 
    Conductor:  Arturo Toscanini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Robert Shaw Chorale,  NBC Symphony Orchestra
    On sale! $36.98
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  • 11.
    Toscanini Collection - Verdi: Falstaff / Valdengo, Stich-Randall
    Toscanini Collection - Verdi: Falstaff / Valdengo, Stich-Randall
    Label: Rca Victor Gold Seal   Catalog: 60251 Release Date: 07/28/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Antonio Madasi,  Cloe Elmo,  Teresa Stich-Randall,  Herva Nelli  ... 
    Conductor:  Arturo Toscanini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  NBC Symphony Orchestra,  Robert Shaw Chorale
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  • 12.
    Best Verdi 100
    Best Verdi 100
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 40878 Release Date: 06/08/2010   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Richard Van Allan,  Keith Erwen,  Delia Wallis,  Ferruccio Mazzoli  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan,  Tullio Serafin,  Riccardo Muti,  Sir Charles Mackerras  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia Orchestra,  New Philharmonia Orchestra,  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
    On sale! $24.98
    CD: $21.99
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  • 13.
    Best Verdi 100
    Best Verdi 100
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 40878 Release Date: 06/08/2010   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Placido Domingo,  Rolando Villazón,  Renato Bruson,  Nicolai Gedda  ... 
    Conductor:  Riccardo Muti,  Marcello Viotti,  Giuseppe Patané,  Julius Rudel  ... 
    CD: $18.99
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  • 14.
    Toscanini Conducts Verdi / Toscanini, Nbc Symphony Orchestra
    Toscanini Conducts Verdi / Toscanini, Nbc Symphony Orchestra
    Label: Opus Kura   Catalog: 7038 Release Date: 02/10/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Zinka Milanov,  Jan Peerce,  Nan Merriman,  Leonard Warren  ... 
    Conductor:  Arturo Toscanini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  NBC Symphony Orchestra,  Westminster Choir
    On sale! $18.98
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  • 15.
    Verdi: Requiem, Te Deum / Toscanini, Nelli, Merriman, Mcgrath, Scott, Nbc So, Et Al
    Verdi: Requiem, Te Deum / Toscanini, Nelli, Merriman, Mcgrath, Scott, Nbc So, Et Al
    Label: Music & Arts Programs Of America   Catalog: 1219 Release Date: 11/11/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Nan Merriman,  Norman Scott,  Herva Nelli,  William Mcgrath
    Conductor:  Arturo Toscanini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  NBC Symphony Orchestra,  NBC Symphony Chorus
    CD: $29.99
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  • 16.
    Best Karajan 100
    Best Karajan 100
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 15206 Release Date: 10/28/2008   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Gaetano Donizetti,  Giacomo Puccini  ... 
    Performer:  Maria Callas,  Mstislav Rostropovich,  Elisabeth Grümmer,  Elisabeth Schwarzkopf  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Berlin RIAS Symphony Orchestra,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $18.99
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  • 17.
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Nan Merriman
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Nan Merriman
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 89706 Release Date: 06/17/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Christoph W. Gluck,  Gaetano Donizetti,  Gioachino Rossini,  Giuseppe Verdi  ... 
    Performer:  Nan Merriman,  Elizabeth Fretwell,  Alexander Young,  Jan Peerce  ... 
    Conductor:  Frieder Weissmann,  Walter Susskind,  Arturo Toscanini,  Pierre Monteux  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  RCA Victor Orchestra,  London Symphony Orchestra,  NBC Symphony Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $18.99
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  • 18.
    Karajan - Complete Emi Recordings 1946-1984 Vol 2 - Opera & Vocal
    Karajan - Complete Emi Recordings 1946-1984 Vol 2 - Opera & Vocal
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 11973 Release Date: 04/15/2008   Number of Discs: 72
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Pietro Mascagni,  Giacomo Puccini,  Johann Strauss Jr.  ... 
    Performer:  Irmgard Seefried,  Erich Kunz,  Maria Cebotari,  Elisabeth Schwarzkopf  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
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  • 19.
    Arien / Irmgard Seefried
    Arien / Irmgard Seefried
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 437677 Release Date: 02/21/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Carl Maria von Weber,  Richard Strauss,  Albert Lortzing,  Ambroise Thomas  ... 
    Performer:  Irmgard Seefried,  Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau,  Marianne Schech,  Rita Streich  ... 
    Conductor:  Eugen Jochum,  Karl Böhm,  Christoph Stepp,  Jean Fournet  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra,  Dresden Staatskapelle,  Bamberg Symphony Orchestra  ... 
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  • 20.
    Verdi: Falstaff
    Verdi: Falstaff
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 567083 Release Date: 01/13/2008  
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Elisabeth Schwarzkopf,  Rolando Panerai,  Anna Moffo,  Nan Merriman  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Chorus
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  • 21.
    Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte (Complete + 9 Bonus Arias)
    Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte (Complete + 9 Bonus Arias)
    Label: Regis   Catalog: 3010 Release Date: 01/01/2008   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    Performer:  Rolando Panerai,  Nan Merriman,  Lisa Otto,  Sesto Bruscantini  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia Orchestra
    CD: $28.49
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  • 22.
    Elisabeth Schwarzkopf / 6 Complete Operas (14-disc Set)
    Elisabeth Schwarzkopf / 6 Complete Operas (14-disc Set)
    Label: Bravissimo Opera Library   Catalog: 9908 Release Date: 10/16/2007   Number of Discs: 14
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Engelbert Humperdinck,  Ludwig van Beethoven
    Performer:  Graziella Sciutti,  Elisabeth Schwarzkopf,  Rolando Panerai,  Nan Merriman  ... 
    Conductor:  Guido Cantelli,  Herbert von Karajan,  Wilhelm Furtwängler,  Rudolf Moralt
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Milan Teatro alla Scala Chorus,  Milan Teatro alla Scala Orchestra,  Italian Radio Chorus Turin  ... 
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  • 23.
    Toscanini Collection Vol 62 - Boito, Verdi: Opera Excerpts
    Toscanini Collection Vol 62 - Boito, Verdi: Opera Excerpts
    Label: Rca Victor Gold Seal   Catalog: 60276 Release Date: 08/29/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Arrigo Boito,  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Nicola Moscona,  Jan Peerce,  Vivian Della Chiesa,  Zinka Milanov  ... 
    Conductor:  Arturo Toscanini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Columbus Boychoir,  NBC Symphony Orchestra,  Robert Shaw Chorale
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  • 24.
    Beethoven: Symphony No 9 / Beecham, Fisher, Et Al
    Beethoven: Symphony No 9 / Beecham, Fisher, Et Al
    Label: Bbc Legends   Catalog: 4209 Release Date: 07/31/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven
    Performer:  Sylvia Fisher,  Nan Merriman,  Richard Lewis,  Kim Borg
    Conductor:  Sir Thomas Beecham
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 25.
    Mozart, Thomas, Donizetti, Etc: Opera Arias / Nan Merriman
    Mozart, Thomas, Donizetti, Etc: Opera Arias / Nan Merriman
    Label: Bella Voce   Catalog: 7006 Release Date: 07/24/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    Performer:  Nan Merriman
    CD: $8.99
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