Mina Foley, Date of Birth, Date of Death

Mina Foley

singer

Date of Birth: 09-Mar-1930

Date of Death: 21-Jan-2007

Profession: singer, opera singer

Nationality: New Zealand

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Mina Foley (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.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.