Barbara Hendricks (born 20 November 1948) is an American-born operatic soprano and concert singer. She is also known for her work as a human rights activist. Hendricks is currently a citizen of Sweden.
Hendricks was born in Stephens, Arkansas. She graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and chemistry at the age of 20. She then attended Juilliard School of Music in New York, where she studied with mezzo-soprano Jennie Tourel and graduated with a bachelor's degree in music.
In 1974, Hendricks made her professional operatic debut in Europe at the Glyndebourne Festival and in America at the San Francisco Opera. During her career, she has appeared at all major opera houses throughout the world, including the Paris Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, and La Scala. In 1998 she sang Liu in the historical performance of Turandot at the Forbidden City in Beijing.
Hendricks has performed more than twenty roles, twelve of which she has recorded.
Hendricks has also appeared in film as Mimi in La Bohème, and in 1994 she participated in an international prize-winning film production of The Rake's Progress singing Anne Truelove.
Hendricks also performs jazz music and made her jazz debut at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1994. Since that time, she has played at major jazz festivals around the world. Hendricks is also known for her love of chamber music and has organized a number of chamber music festivals.