Opera Singer. A mezzo soprano, she is remembered for her 20 year career at the New York City Opera. Raised in Chicago, she trained at the Northwestern University School of Music then studied in Italy for four years before relocating to New York City and begining her career. Joan became a company member at City Opera where she was to meet her future husband, fellow singer Art Kacinski (deceased 1999), and where she earned praise for her portrayal of Kate Pinkerton in Puccini's "Madame Butterfly". On Broadway she was in the original cast of "Destry Rides Again" (1959) and also of Lerner and Loewe's 1960 smash hit "Camelot" which starred Richard Burton and Julie Andrews. She was a soloist at the West End Collegiate Church for 35 years and after leaving City Opera joined her husband in forming Glorianna Productions, a traveling Gilbert and Sullivan company. Joan spent her retirement years in Syracuse, New York, where she died in a nursing facility. At her demise her recorded legacy consisting of the original cast recording of "Camelot" remained in print.
Opera Singer. A mezzo soprano, she is remembered for her 20 year career at the New York City Opera. Raised in Chicago, she trained at the Northwestern University School of Music then studied in Italy for four years before relocating to New York City and begining her career. Joan became a company member at City Opera where she was to meet her future husband, fellow singer Art Kacinski (deceased 1999), and where she earned praise for her portrayal of Kate Pinkerton in Puccini's "Madame Butterfly". On Broadway she was in the original cast of "Destry Rides Again" (1959) and also of Lerner and Loewe's 1960 smash hit "Camelot" which starred Richard Burton and Julie Andrews. She was a soloist at the West End Collegiate Church for 35 years and after leaving City Opera joined her husband in forming Glorianna Productions, a traveling Gilbert and Sullivan company. Joan spent her retirement years in Syracuse, New York, where she died in a nursing facility. At her demise her recorded legacy consisting of the original cast recording of "Camelot" remained in print.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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