Lesley Garrett/Michel Legrand

One of the most popular performers in contemporary British opera, soprano Lesley Garrett was born in Yorkshire, England on April 10, 1955; after attending her first opera at age 15, she dedicated her life to singing, and was later awarded a scholarship to London's Royal Academy of Music. In 1979 she won top prize at the Kathleen Ferrier Competition, and following her first major performance as Dorinda in Handel's Orlando she earned roles with Opera North and the English National Opera; although Garrett's career was temporarily derailed by illness, she returned to the stage in ...