Opera star Madame Lillian Evanti was born Annie Lillian Evans in Washington, D.C. in 1890. Her mother, a music teacher, must have nutured Evanti’s singing talent at an early age.
She graduated from Howard University in 1917 three years before the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded. In 1918, she married Roy Tibbs, a Howard University music professor. She took parts of the names Evans and Tibbs to create her stage name, Madame Evanti.
When she debuted in the title role of Lakmé with the Paris Opera she became the first African American to sing with a European opera company. She toured with opera companies throughout the U.S., Europe, South America and the Caribbean. In 1934, she performed for the Roosevelts at the White House.
Madame Evanti was the first Honorary Member of Zeta Phi Beta. She often performed for her sorority sisters. Zeta Phi Beta celebrated its 15th Birthday with a Boule held at Howard University from December 27-30, 1935. One of the social events held in conjucnction with the Boule was a private recital and team at Evanti’s home. (Attorney Violette N. Anderson presided at this Boule.)
Madame Evanti died on December 6, 1967 at age 77
