Remembering Martina Arroyo

The Chicago Symphony family joins the music world in mourning the loss of American soprano Martina Arroyo, who died on October 13, 2026, at her home in Manhattan. She was 90.

Born in Harlem on February 2, 1936, Arroyo first worked as a schoolteacher and social worker in New York City. She established her opera career in Europe, and in 1965 she was a last-minute replacement for the title role in Verdi’s Aida at the Metropolitan Opera. Arroyo was quickly offered a contract and became a stalwart with the company, including starring in three season-opening nights. 

After making her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Verdi’s Requiem in November 1968, she appeared the following summer in the title roles of two operas at the Ravinia Festival. In Madama Butterfly, Arroyo gave “a glorious performance in every respect . . . a revelation,” according to Thomas Willis in the Chicago Tribune. The following week in Aida, Willis continued, "she began her part with an explosiveness justified by the tumult of emotion [adding] intensity on intensity until — in the return of “Ritorna vincitor” — the effect became overwhelming. She lived her part instead of merely singing it."

In addition to serving on Carnegie Hall’s board of trustees — along with being a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson — Arroyo was awarded the President’s Medal, an NEA Opera Honors Award, a fellowship in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Kennedy Center Honors.

A complete list of her appearances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus — in Orchestra Hall and at the Ravinia Festival — is below.

November 14, 15, and 16, 1968, Orchestra Hall
VERDI Requiem
Martina Arroyo, soprano
Carol Smith, mezzo-soprano
Sándor Kónya, tenor
Malcolm Smith, bass
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Margaret Hillis, director
Jean Martinon, conductor
The Libera me was released on the 2008 Symphonython CD set Chicago Symphony Chorus: A Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration (From the Archives, vol. 22)

July 31 and August 2, 1969, Ravinia Festival
PUCCINI Madama Butterfly
Martina Arroyo, soprano
Shirley Love, mezzo-soprano
Franco Tagliavini, tenor
Julian Patrick, baritone
Herbert Kraus, tenor
Karen Nelson Zajac, soprano
Carol Vokral, mezzo-soprano
Karen Tillotson, soprano
William Diana, bass
Dale Macurdy, bass
Harold Vakos, bass
Richard Carter, bass
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Margaret Hillis, director
Sheldon Patinkin, stage director
Alain Lombard, conductor

August 7 and 9, 1969, Ravinia Festival
VERDI Aida
Martina Arroyo, soprano
Lili Chookasian, contralto
Richard Tucker, tenor
Sherrill Milnes, baritone
Ara Berberian, bass
Herbert Kraus, tenor
Robert Hale, bass-baritone
Carolyn Smith-Meyer, soprano
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Margaret Hillis, director
Sheldon Patinkin, stage director
Giuseppe Patanè, conductor

March 25, 26, and 27, 1971, Orchestra Hall
VERDI Requiem
Martina Arroyo, soprano
Shirley Verrett, mezzo-soprano
Carlo Cossutta, tenor
Ezio Flagello, bass
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Margaret Hillis, director
Carlo Maria Giulini, conductor

August 3, 1974, Ravinia Festival
ROSSINI Overture to La gazza ladra
PUCCINI Guardate, pazza son from Manon Lescaut
PUCCINI Vissi d’arte from Tosca
VERDI Forse la soglia attinse from Un ballo in maschera
VERDI Ecco L’orrido campo from Un ballo in maschera
VERDI Teco i sto from Un ballo in maschera
MASCAGNI Voi lo sapeta from Cavelleria rusticana
MASCAGNI Mamma, quel vino è generoso from Cavelleria rusticana
MASCAGNI Intermezzo from Cavelleria rusticana
GIORDANO La mamma morta from Andrea Chénier
GIORDANO Un di all’azzurro spazio from Andrea Chénier
GIORDANO Final duet from Andrea Chénier
Martina Arroyo, soprano
Richard Tucker, tenor
James Levine, conductor

August 12, 1976, Ravinia Festival
STRAUSS Four Last Songs
Martina Arroyo, soprano
Lawrence Foster, conductor

Numerous tributes have appeared online, including the New York Times  and OperaWire, among several others.  

This article also appears here.