MUNSEL, PATRICE

Homebase: Spokane, WA
Stats: May 14, 1925 - August 4, 2016
Misc Notes: Born in Spokane as Patrice Beverly Munsil (she later changed the spelling of her surname), Munsel attended Lewis and Clark High School until, at age 15, her mother took her to New York City to study singing under Giacomo Padoni (1884-1960). At age 17 Munsel participated in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions On The Air program and wan a contract with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, where she made her onstage debut on December 4, 1943. In 1952 Munsel appeared on the official cast album, Selections from the King and I, backed by Henri Rene and his Orchestra. In 1957 ABC-TV began airing The Patrice Munsel Show. Munsel sang from the Met's stage 225 times, appeared on numerous television shows, recorded the Campfire Girls' 1960s ad jingle, "Sing Around the Campfire (Join the Campfire Girls)," and made her final performance at the Met on January 28, 1958. In 1981 she retired from singing opera, began singing musical comedies, and retired altogether in 2008.