Gwendolyn Killebrew

Gwendolyn Killebrew (August 26, 1941 – December 24, 2021) was an American operatic contralto and mezzo-soprano who worked in Germany and internationally, including the Metropolitan Opera and the Bayreuth Festival. She performed in the 1971 world premiere of Ginastera's Beatrix Cenci for the opening of the new opera house of Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. She was a member of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein from 1976 to 2006, where she took part in the world premiere of Klebe's Gervaise Macquart, and performed in other contemporary operas. After retirement, she worked as a music educator, giving master classes and teaching privately.

Early life and education Killebrew was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 26, 1941. She studied piano and horn and worked as a music teacher and music therapist.