Trivia

Renowned opera singer knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to music.

Famous for singing roles origionally done by Castrati. Castrati were male singers who were castrated before puberty so that their voices wouldn't change. The Castrati sound combined the purity of a boy's voice, with the lung power and control of a full-grown male voice. Because this practice has been outlawed, today only women can sing in the range of a castrato role. Baker specialized in this type of role and became very famous for it.

She was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1970 Queen's Birthday Honours List and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1976 Queen's New Years Honours List for her services to music.

She was awarded the CH (Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour) in the 1994 Queen's New Years Honours List for her services to music.

Hamburg Shakespeare Prize 1971, Copenhagen Sonning Prize1979, Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society 1990.

Author of Full Circle.

Educated York College for Girls.

FRSA Trustee, FSA Munster Trustee,, Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Trust and Tillett Trust.

Made Chancellor of University of York in 1991.

Is Honorary Doctor of Music ,Honorary Doctor of Literature, Honorary LLD.