Vera Little

Vera Pearl Little-Augustithis (December 10, 1928 – October 24, 2012) was an American operatic contralto and mezzo-soprano who belonged to the ensemble of the Deutsche Oper Berlin for more than four decades. She performed each of the important mezzo-soprano roles of the repertoire, appearing at major international opera houses and festivals. She took part in world premieres of operas by Hans Werner Henze, in 1965 Der junge Lord in Berlin and in 1966 Die Bassariden at the Salzburg Festival.

Life Little was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She took part in the 1965 world premiere of Hans Werner Henze's Der junge Lord, as Begonia. She recorded the role of Giovanna in Donizetti's Anna Bolena conducted by Alberto Erede in 1967, broadcast by Westdeutscher Rundfunk. In 1970, she was awarded the title Berliner Kammersängerin. After many negotiations and complications, she appeared in 1973 for the first time in her hometown of Memphis as Ulrica in Verdi's Un ballo in maschera.

Personal life Little's brother was Booker Little. Besides music, she was interested in literature. She wrote poems, some of which were set to music by Boris Blacher.