Everett Lee

Orchestra conductor (Norrköping Symphony Orchestra), violinist, first African-American to conduct a Broadway orchestra (On the Town), first African-American to conduct a grand opera (New York City Opera)[6]

What is Everett Lee known for?

Everett Astor Lee was a groundbreaking figure in the world of music. Born on August 31, 1916, in Wheeling, West Virginia, he rose to prominence as an American symphonic conductor, opera music director, violinist, and music scholar. Despite facing racial discrimination throughout his career, Lee became the first African American to conduct a Broadway musical as well as the first to conduct a performance by a major American opera company.

His early life took an exciting turn in Cleveland, Ohio, where he moved with his family in 1927 during the Great Migration. As a teenager working as a hotel busboy, Lee met conductor Artur Rodziński, who became his mentor. He later attended the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Music, launching his career as a concert violinist.

Breaking barriers, Lee was the first African American to conduct a Broadway musical - a distinction he achieved when he joined Leonard Bernstein's musical 'On the Town' in September 1945. He was also noted for his role as the founding conductor of the interracial Cosmopolitan Symphony Society in 1947.

Lee continued to make history throughout his career. In 1955, he conducted an acclaimed New York City Opera production of 'La traviata', becoming the first African American to conduct professional grand opera in the United States. Facing racism, Lee decided to move to Germany in 1954 and was later appointed chief conductor of the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra in Sweden, a post he held for a decade.

Everett Lee was a pioneering figure who left a lasting impact on the world of music. Despite the obstacles he faced, his talent, perseverance, and accomplishments continue to inspire musicians worldwide.