Mina Foley

Wilhelmina Maile Foley^[1] (9 March 1930 – 21 January 2007) was a New Zealand coloratura soprano, who rose to prominence in the 1950s. She was the first of many to study under the acclaimed singing teacher Dame Sister Mary Leo. Other prominent singers who studied with Mary Leo included the internationally renowned soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, soprano Dame Malvina Major, and mezzo-soprano Heather Begg. Foley's voice was dubbed "The voice of the century" by some.^[2]

On her 1955 New Zealand tour every concert was sold out. She studied abroad, and performed in Ireland, Italy, England, USA and Australia, returning to New Zealand in 1960. Foley had a severe mental breakdown in 1961, forcing her retirement after only one year performing in New Zealand. She spent the next 16 years in Oakley Psychiatric Hospital. In 1978 she staged a return concert. However, her return to singing was short-lived, and ill-health continued to plague her until her death in 2007.

Recordings

There are three Mina Foley albums in print on the New Zealand label Ode Records. The Early Years (CDMANU1062) was released in 1991 and is a compilation of some of Foley's earliest recordings from the period 1949–1953. These recordings were made in New Zealand. Included are recordings of Verdi's 'Sempre Libera', Mozart's 'Der Holle Rache' (performed in English), Bellini's 'Casta Diva'and Donizetti's 'O luce di quest'anima'.

Songs For You (CDMANU1529) was released in 1996 and is an eighteen track compilation of classics including 'Ave Maria', 'How Great Thou Art' and 'The Lord's Prayer'.

Mina Foley and Michael Tarawhiti McGifford (CDMANU2061) was released on compact disc for the first time in 2007. It features a selection of songs for solo voice and duets performed by Foley with Michael Tarawhiti McGifford.

References

1. Hill, Julie (10 March 2024). "The Sunday Essay: The 'voice of the century' who wound up in a psych hospital for 16 years". The Spinoff. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
2. "'Voice of the century' Mina Foley dies at 77". The New Zealand Herald. 22 January 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2012.

• Niccol, Mary Leo 1895–1989