[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 115 (Friday, July 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1140-E1141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MARALIN NISKA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANICE HAHN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Maralin 
Niska who passed away at home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on July 9, 2016. 
Maralin sang leading roles with both the Metropolitan Opera and the New 
York City Opera and was widely known as one of the greatest talents of 
her generation. She was not only an acclaimed soprano, she was a 
devoted teacher who loved sharing her passion with admirers and her 
community.
  Born in San Pedro, California, on November 16, 1926, Maralin Niska 
showed early promise as a musical student. In her youth, she performed 
as a young soloist in the First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro as 
well as with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Despite the advice of 
teachers and friends, she refused to go to Europe to study and build a 
career. She told the New York Times, ``I've never even been to Europe, 
and I don't have any desire to go . . . I'm still one of the few 
holdouts who are truly American in training, experience, everything.'' 
She never wavered in her love for her community and country. Ms. Niska 
completed her degree at the University of California, Los Angeles 
(UCLA), in English literature and continued to study voice at the 
University of Southern California (USC) and UCLA. All the while, she 
continued to sing as a resident soloist at several community churches.
  Ms. Niska had a rewarding career in education and was a Torrance 
elementary schoolteacher for seven years, while continuing to perform 
for local opera companies and the community. She loved teaching, and 
appreciated all students at whatever level they could achieve. In 1968, 
Ms. Niska sang the title role in Madama Butterfly for the opening of 
the new house at the Santa Fe Opera. After retiring in Santa Fe, Ms 
Niska continued her passion for teaching and maintained a private vocal 
studio. There, she taught Master Classes to aspiring students who 
shared her love for music. The Arizona Daily Star even wrote that Ms. 
Niska left ``most of the traditional diva

[[Page E1141]]

arrogance back in the dressing room . . . She offered no-nonsense 
criticism to her students but tried not to trample their ego.''
  Niska's dramatic talents earned her a reputation as a singing-
actress. Ms. Niska appeared regularly with some of the great conductors 
of her time, including Pierre Boulez, Eric Leinsdorf, and Andre 
Kostelanetz. She received national recognition when she debuted at the 
opening of the Metropolitan Opera National Company in 1965. Followed by 
her debut, she was engaged by the New York City Opera and commanded 
dozens of roles. In all she sang 29 leading roles with the company--the 
most of any singer in its history.
  Ms. Niska gave her last professional performance in 1996, in Santa 
Fe, performing arias of Mozart with the Musica de Camara Orchestra 
conducted by her husband, the famous violinist and renowned conductor, 
William Mullen. The couple established Music One, a predecessor to 
Performance Santa Fe, a performing arts center. Maralin Niska was loved 
by all and will be sorely missed by her husband, students, the greater 
communities of Los Angeles and Santa Fe, and by opera lovers all over 
the world.

                          ____________________