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Binghamton University Music Department
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The Department of Music at Binghamton University mourns the passing of Mary Burgess, Associate Professor Emerita of Voice, who died January 15th, 2025 at her home in Halfmoon, NY. Prof. Burgess was a member of our faculty from 1984 until her retirement in 2021, serving as a distinguished voice teacher and coordinator of vocal programs. Prof. Burgess was a passionate and nurturing teacher, and many of her students have gone on to successful musical careers as performers and educators.
Her own performing career included operatic appearances in Europe and America, including New York City Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Washington Opera, the Holland Festival, Spoleto Festival (Italy), Netherlands Opera, Theatre Royale de la Monnaie (Brussels), and Dublin Grand Opera, where she was engaged for several seasons in leading roles. She also maintained strong ties to Binghamton’s Tri-Cities Opera for many years, performing seven major roles and later serving on the Board of Directors. Prof. Burgess appeared as a soloist with over two dozen U. S. orchestras, including the Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, and Cincinnati Symphony, and at the Ravinia, Aspen, Blossom, Chautauqua, Marlboro, Monadnock, and Cincinnati May festivals. Prof. Burgess was a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music.
A memorial and committal service will be held over the summer at Grace Episcopal Church Memorial Garden, Anderson, SC. A memorial service in Binghamton is being planned for later this spring.
