Adyline Johnson Felsted

• 
• 

Felsted, Adyline Johnson age 98, of Mpls, a 39-year cancer survivor, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2020. Born in Hastings, MN. She later moved to Mpls and attended Roosevelt High and the U of MN where she completed her MFA. She was a gifted pupil of Clara Williams of the Royal Academy of Music in London and Serge Koussewitzky, at Tanglewood. In 1948 she won national competitions which brought her appearances at Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. In 1953 Adyline received a Fulbright Scholarship to study voice in Brussels, Belgium. In 1956 she served as the Aqua-Centennial Ambassadress, representing the city of Mpls on tour in Scotland, England and France. In 1957 Adyline became an honorary member of Sigma Alpha Iota as the first graduate scholarship winner. She performed in concerts and had leading roles in many operas for the U of MN, St Paul Civic Opera, MN Opera and Guthrie Theater. She met her future husband Ken, an accomplished baritone singer, when they performed together in the opera of Amahl and the Night Visitors. He and Adyline were married on June 27, 1957 and enjoyed singing together throughout their lives in operas and concerts, and at Temple Israel, St. Mark's Cathedral and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Adyline began a robust teaching career in the late '50s at Drake University, MacPhail School of Music, Macalester College, and St Catherine's College. She was a voice coach for the Metropolitan Boys Choir, and scores of students including Dorothy Benham, who won the title of Miss America in 1977. In the '70s, Adyline could be seen on national TV singing the national anthem for Vikings home games. As an energetic and positive force, she had an enormous impact on all who knew her. Since her retirement in 2000, she continued to teach at home, travel, host dinner parties and enjoy music in her roles as a well-loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mentor and friend. Adyline's outgoing personality attracted many new friends who enjoyed her zest of life, quick wit, wisdom and feistiness right up to her final days. The family wishes to thank McKenna Crossing for their care of Adyline during her last five years. Survivors include: Daughters, Victoria (Jeff) Daley, Kathleen Matson and Diedre Lingenfelter, Grandchildren Megan and Nicholle Daley, Noah (Pam) and Michael (Yonni) Matson, 3 Great- Granddaughters, Sarina, Rachel and Tess Matson. In lieu of flowers, please direct any memorials if desired to the Westminster Church Choir, U of MN Music Dept, or the Animal Humane Society. Save the date for a Celebration of Life to be held on what would have been Adyline's 100th birthday on June 21, 2021. GILLBROTHERS.com MINNEAPOLIS, MN 612-861-6088

Published on May 31, 2020