Ann Ayars

Ann Ayars
Ayars inFiesta(1941)
Born	(1918-07-23)July 23, 1918 Los Angeles, California,U.S.
Died	February 27, 1995(1995-02-27)(aged 76) Hemet, California,U.S.
Occupations	Opera singer actress college music professor
Years active	1941–1967
Known for	Dr. KildarePictures Fiesta The Tales of Hoffmann

Ann Ayars(July 23, 1918 – February 27, 1995) was an American soprano and actress. Early in her career she acted in several TV series and non musical films. Later, she sang with theNew York City Opera(NYCO), and became known worldwide when she sang and acted the part of Antonia in the 1951British filmThe Tales of Hoffmann.From 1968 to 1987 she taught voice and piano and staged 19 full-length opera productions atMt. San Jacinto Collegein California, where she was made a professor emerita.

Biography

Ann Ayars was born inBeverly Hills, California.She began as a singer in the late 1930s and started acting in the early 1940s. She had parts in several television series, includingBatman,Hazel,Mission: Impossible,The Alfred Hitchcock Hour,Perry Mason,The VirginianandThe Monroes.

She starred as Cholita in the 1941 filmFiestaand in 1942 she was Cynthia Cookie Charles inDr. Kildare's Victory.Also in 1942, she appeared as Constance Selden inApache Trail,Kaaren de Relle inNazi Agentand Juliette inReunion in France.In 1943 she was Mrs Sandoval inThe Human Comedyand Susan Thayer inThe Youngest Profession.

She left Hollywood in 1943 to join the newly formedNew York City Opera,becoming one of its leading lyric sopranos. Her operatic roles included Monica inThe Medium,Mimi inLa bohèmeand Violetta inLa traviata.Her friend,mezzo-sopranoFrances Bible,said "Her work with the opera has inspired many young singers, many of whom went on to professional careers."

Courtesy of MGM, Ayars helped entertain the troops in February 1944 atCamp Roberts, California,starring inRio Ritaalong withJanis Paige.

She had a star part as Antonia in the 1951Powell and PressburgerfilmThe Tales of Hoffmann,which was based on theopéra fantastiquebyJacques Offenbach.Although all the parts in the film are sung, onlyRobert Rounseville(Hoffmann) and Ayars sang their own parts, the others being dubbed.

In 1968 she returned to California and took a post teaching voice and piano atMt. San Jacinto CollegeinSan Jacinto,California,where she staged 19 full-length opera productions.

Last years and death

She retired in 1987. She died on February 27, 1995 at her home inHemetinRiverside County,aged 76, following complications from diabetes.

Selected Filmography

• The Virginian(1963) (Season 2 Episode 7: "Brother Thaddeus" ) as Sister St. Luke
• The Alfred Hitchcock Hour(1964) (Season 2 Episode 14: "Beyond the Sea of Death" ) as Lucy Barrington
• Perry Mason(1964) (Season 8 Episode 2: "The Case of the Paper Bullets" ) as Woman Reporter
• Batman(1966) (Season 1 Episode 23: "The Ring of Wax" ) as Madame Soleil
• Mission: Impossible(1966) (Season 1 Episode 13: "Elena" ) as Señora Del Barra

External links

• Ann AyarsatIMDb
• Ann AyarsatAllMovie