DeGaetani, Jan

DeGaetani, Jan (b. Janice Reutz) (1933–89) soprano; born in Massillon, Ohio. After studies at Juilliard in New York City, she gravitated to modern music and found fame performing challenging works such as Crumb's Ancient Voices of Children, one of many works written expressly for her by major composers. Sometimes called "Queen of the Avant-Garde," she actually had a vast repertoire and was an outstanding interpreter of many types of music from the Renaissance on. Known for the intelligence she brought to music as well as for her rich voice, she also taught at the Eastman School of Music and at the Aspen (Colo.) summer festivals.