Washington, D.C. (August 12, 1890- December 6, 1967) age 77 yrs

Soprano opera singer Lillian Evanti was born Lillian Evans. She was the first African American to act with a major European opera company. She also maintained deep ties to her native Washington, D.C. Evanti graduated from Howard University in 1907. Thirteen years later, she moved to Europe. There, her professional opportunities were not as limited by discrimination. She made her professional debut in Nice, France in 1924. While abroad, she adopted the stage name Evanti. It was a more European-sounding combination of her last name and that of her husband, Roy Tibbs.