Opera Stars of All Times

CELSO ALBELO - Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, he is a tenor. He has sung leading roles in many opera houses including Teatro alla Scala (Milan, Italy); the Royal Opera House (London, United Kingdom) and Teatro La Fenice (Venice, Italy). In 2006, he debuted as Duca di Mantova in Rigoletto (Verdi). His elegant singing has made him one of the most requested tenors on the international opera scene. Celso Albelo has been awarded the Opera Actual Prize 2008, the Opera Oscar by the Arena di Verona Foundation (2010-2012) and the Teatro Campoamor National Prize for Opera 2010-2012. He has been awarded the Medalla de Oro de Canarias 2013, among other distinctions.
CELSO ALBELO - Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, he is a tenor. He has sung leading roles in many opera houses including Teatro alla Scala (Milan, Italy); the Royal Opera House (London, United Kingdom) and Teatro La Fenice (Venice, Italy). In 2006, he debuted as Duca di Mantova in Rigoletto (Verdi). His elegant singing has made him one of the most requested tenors on the international opera scene. Celso Albelo has been awarded the Opera Actual Prize 2008, the Opera Oscar by the Arena di Verona Foundation (2010-2012) and the Teatro Campoamor National Prize for Opera 2010-2012. He has been awarded the Medalla de Oro de Canarias 2013, among other distinctions.
JAUME ARAGALL - Born in Barcelona in 1939, he started an international career performing the most important tenor roles in works by Verdi and Puccini. When he returned to Spain, he made his debut at El Liceu in Barcelona. Thanks to several singing awards, he was able to go to Italy to continue his studies; he debuted at La Scala in Milan after some time. His repertoire covers over 30 operas and he has performed at theatres all over the world, sharing the stage with Montserrat Caballé, Josep Carreras, Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.
JAUME ARAGALL - Born in Barcelona in 1939, he started an international career performing the most important tenor roles in works by Verdi and Puccini. When he returned to Spain, he made his debut at El Liceu in Barcelona. Thanks to several singing awards, he was able to go to Italy to continue his studies; he debuted at La Scala in Milan after some time. His repertoire covers over 30 operas and he has performed at theatres all over the world, sharing the stage with Montserrat Caballé, Josep Carreras, Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.
AINHOA ARTETA - Born at Tolosa, Basque province of Gipuzkoa, she is a Spanish soprano. She grew up in a musical environment. After winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 1993, she debuted at the Metropolitan Opera House (NYC, USA) in October 1994 as Mimì in La Bohème. Her first performance at Covent Garden was in 2002 when she sang Musetta. Her performance of Lieder, songs and Zarzuelas are very much acclaimed, as are those of her operatic roles. She has never stopped studying in order to take new challenges and has received many awards and distinctions for her work.
AINHOA ARTETA - Born at Tolosa, Basque province of Gipuzkoa, she is a Spanish soprano. She grew up in a musical environment. After winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 1993, she debuted at the Metropolitan Opera House (NYC, USA) in October 1994 as Mimì in La Bohème. Her first performance at Covent Garden was in 2002 when she sang Musetta. Her performance of Lieder, songs and Zarzuelas are very much acclaimed, as are those of her operatic roles. She has never stopped studying in order to take new challenges and has received many awards and distinctions for her work.
MANUEL AUSENSI - He studied singing in Valencia and then in the Conservatory of Barcelona. His debut was in 1946 at the Tivoli Theater in Barcelona. In 1947 he sang in El Liceu. He was considered particularly outstanding in Rigoletto, but he also sang eighteenth century music such as Mozart's and French romantic opera. He recorded a famous version of Rossini's The Barber of Seville co-starring Teresa Berganza in 1964. He also recorded the leading role in several Spanish Zarzuelas. He retired in 1973.
MANUEL AUSENSI - He studied singing in Valencia and then in the Conservatory of Barcelona. His debut was in 1946 at the Tivoli Theater in Barcelona. In 1947 he sang in El Liceu. He was considered particularly outstanding in Rigoletto, but he also sang eighteenth century music such as Mozart's and French romantic opera. He recorded a famous version of Rossini's The Barber of Seville co-starring Teresa Berganza in 1964. He also recorded the leading role in several Spanish Zarzuelas. He retired in 1973.
CECILIA BARTOLI - She is an Italian coloratura mezzo-soprano who achieved global success thanks to her outstanding vocal skills and her wonderful presence on the stage. She started singing when she was a teenager. At 19 she started a professional career and attracted the attention of conductors Herbert von Karajan and Daniel Barenboim. Bartoli's roles included Rosina in Rossini's Barber of Seville as well as Cherubino in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. She has become one of the most popular performers.
CECILIA BARTOLI - She is an Italian coloratura mezzo-soprano who achieved global success thanks to her outstanding vocal skills and her wonderful presence on the stage. She started singing when she was a teenager. At 19 she started a professional career and attracted the attention of conductors Herbert von Karajan and Daniel Barenboim. Bartoli's roles included Rosina in Rossini's Barber of Seville as well as Cherubino in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. She has become one of the most popular performers.
MARÍA BAYO - María is a Spanish soprano. She studied at the Conservatorio Navarro de Música Pablo Sarasate in Pamplona, Spain and also in Germany. She won many singing competitions all over Spain and started her international career in 1988, when she won the first prize in a competition in Vienna. She was Susanna in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. She sang in Paris, Hamburg, Brussels, London, Buenos Aires, New York and Milan. At La Scala she played Musetta in Puccini's La Bohème. She had a great success at El Liceu in Barcelona, Spain as well. She often sang with tenors Alfredo Kraus and Plácido Domingo. She has sung a lot of Spanish Zarzuelas and has given many recitals too. In 2002 she sang several times in the US. She has a great personal voice and is a talented actress. Her recordings, of great quality, are numerous.
MARÍA BAYO - María is a Spanish soprano. She studied at the Conservatorio Navarro de Música Pablo Sarasate in Pamplona, Spain and also in Germany. She won many singing competitions all over Spain and started her international career in 1988, when she won the first prize in a competition in Vienna. She was Susanna in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. She sang in Paris, Hamburg, Brussels, London, Buenos Aires, New York and Milan. At La Scala she played Musetta in Puccini's La Bohème. She had a great success at El Liceu in Barcelona, Spain as well. She often sang with tenors Alfredo Kraus and Plácido Domingo. She has sung a lot of Spanish Zarzuelas and has given many recitals too. In 2002 she sang several times in the US. She has a great personal voice and is a talented actress. Her recordings, of great quality, are numerous.
TERESA BERGANZA - Teresa Berganza studied music at the Madrid Conservatory, where she was awarded first prize for singing in 1954. In 1957 she gave her first recital at the Madrid Ateneo and later performed in Milan. That same year, she made her La Scala debut. Teresa has performed in all the most prestigious theatres and concert halls, and has worked with great conductors. Her repertoire ranges from the Italian Baroque masters to 20th century composers with particular attention to Spanish music. Her concert repertoire includes songs by Latin-American composers, French songs, German Lieder and Russian songs. She has also contributed to the revival of Spanish Zarzuela. She shared the 1991 Prince of Asturias Award for Arts and Letters with six other Spanish singers. In 1992, she took part in the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games.
TERESA BERGANZA - Teresa Berganza studied music at the Madrid Conservatory, where she was awarded first prize for singing in 1954. In 1957 she gave her first recital at the Madrid Ateneo and later performed in Milan. That same year, she made her La Scala debut. Teresa has performed in all the most prestigious theatres and concert halls, and has worked with great conductors. Her repertoire ranges from the Italian Baroque masters to 20th century composers with particular attention to Spanish music. Her concert repertoire includes songs by Latin-American composers, French songs, German Lieder and Russian songs. She has also contributed to the revival of Spanish Zarzuela. She shared the 1991 Prince of Asturias Award for Arts and Letters with six other Spanish singers. In 1992, she took part in the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games.
MONTSERRAT CABALLÉ - Caballé was a Spanish soprano. She studied music at the Liceu Conservatory, where she graduated with a gold medal in 1954. She moved to Basel, Switzerland, where she made her professional debut in 1956 as Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème. On April 20, 1965, on extremely short notice, she substituted for Marilyn Horne in a concert, achieving a wonderful success and becoming a superstar overnight. During her career she sang a great variety of roles. Caballé became popular to non-classical music audiences in 1987, when she recorded the song "Barcelona", a duet with singer Freddie Mercury of the rock group Queen which became an official theme song for the 1992 Olympic Games. Caballé recorded extensively throughout her long career and made many notable recordings of complete operas as well as recital albums. She received several international awards and also Grammy Awards for many of her recordings.
MONTSERRAT CABALLÉ - Caballé was a Spanish soprano. She studied music at the Liceu Conservatory, where she graduated with a gold medal in 1954. She moved to Basel, Switzerland, where she made her professional debut in 1956 as Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème. On April 20, 1965, on extremely short notice, she substituted for Marilyn Horne in a concert, achieving a wonderful success and becoming a superstar overnight. During her career she sang a great variety of roles. Caballé became popular to non-classical music audiences in 1987, when she recorded the song "Barcelona", a duet with singer Freddie Mercury of the rock group Queen which became an official theme song for the 1992 Olympic Games. Caballé recorded extensively throughout her long career and made many notable recordings of complete operas as well as recital albums. She received several international awards and also Grammy Awards for many of her recordings.
MARÍA CALLAS - Maria Callas was born in New York City in 1923. At 7 Callas began her musical studies by taking piano lessons. Her powerful soprano voice, capable of dealing with all kinds of roles, was intensely dramatic. She wa considered one of the best singers of her time. She made her professional debut with the Royal Opera of Athens, and soon won her first major role with Tosca. Eventually winning international acclaim, Callas made her Italian opera debut at the Verona Arena in 1947, later followed by her 1954 American debut. During the 1960s, the quality and frequency of her performances declined. On September 16, 1977, Callas died in Paris of a heart attack.
MARÍA CALLAS - Maria Callas was born in New York City in 1923. At 7 Callas began her musical studies by taking piano lessons. Her powerful soprano voice, capable of dealing with all kinds of roles, was intensely dramatic. She wa considered one of the best singers of her time. She made her professional debut with the Royal Opera of Athens, and soon won her first major role with Tosca. Eventually winning international acclaim, Callas made her Italian opera debut at the Verona Arena in 1947, later followed by her 1954 American debut. During the 1960s, the quality and frequency of her performances declined. On September 16, 1977, Callas died in Paris of a heart attack.
JAVIER CAMARENA - The Mexican tenor Javier Camarena studied voice in his country. In 2004, he won the first prize at a Singing Competition in Mexico and then an award at the Francisco Viñas Competition in Barcelona a year later. He made his debut at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico FD. He sang at the Metropolitan Opera in October 2011 in Rossini's The Barber of Seville, singing the role of Court Almaviva. Camarena became only the third singer in the history of the Metropolitan Opera to perform an encore onstage, and on March 12, 2016 he became the second singer to perform multiple encores.
JAVIER CAMARENA - The Mexican tenor Javier Camarena studied voice in his country. In 2004, he won the first prize at a Singing Competition in Mexico and then an award at the Francisco Viñas Competition in Barcelona a year later. He made his debut at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico FD. He sang at the Metropolitan Opera in October 2011 in Rossini's The Barber of Seville, singing the role of Court Almaviva. Camarena became only the third singer in the history of the Metropolitan Opera to perform an encore onstage, and on March 12, 2016 he became the second singer to perform multiple encores.
MARIOLA CANTARERO - Mariola Cantarero was born in Granada and started her studies in music at her hometown Conservatory; she later continued studying in Vienna. During the season 2000/2001 she made her debut in Trieste, Italy, achieving a great success. She has been conducted by renowned Maestros such as Zubin Mehta or Abbado. She has performed in "Teatro Real" and "Teatro de la Zarzuela" in Madrid, "El Liceu" in Barcelona, as well as in other important Spanish theatres. Also, Mariola has been repeatedly acting in Zurich, Amsterdam, Detroit, Strasbourg, Santiago de Chile, Korea, Shanghai... She has been presented with various international singing awards, namely ¨Francisco Viñas", "Operalia 99", and "Pedro Lavirgen", in addition to many others in recognition of her professional career.
MARIOLA CANTARERO - Mariola Cantarero was born in Granada and started her studies in music at her hometown Conservatory; she later continued studying in Vienna. During the season 2000/2001 she made her debut in Trieste, Italy, achieving a great success. She has been conducted by renowned Maestros such as Zubin Mehta or Abbado. She has performed in "Teatro Real" and "Teatro de la Zarzuela" in Madrid, "El Liceu" in Barcelona, as well as in other important Spanish theatres. Also, Mariola has been repeatedly acting in Zurich, Amsterdam, Detroit, Strasbourg, Santiago de Chile, Korea, Shanghai... She has been presented with various international singing awards, namely ¨Francisco Viñas", "Operalia 99", and "Pedro Lavirgen", in addition to many others in recognition of her professional career.
JOSEP CARRERAS - Also known as José Carreras, he is a Spanish tenor who is particularly celebrated for his performances in the operas of Verdi and Puccini. Born in Barcelona, he made his debut on the operatic stage at 11 and went on to a career that included over 60 roles, performed in the world's leading opera houses and in numerous recordings. He gained fame with a larger audience as one of the Three Tenors along with Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti in a series of concerts that began in 1990 and continued until 2003. Carreras is also known for his humanitarian work as the president of the José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation, which he established after his own recovery from the disease in 1988.
JOSEP CARRERAS - Also known as José Carreras, he is a Spanish tenor who is particularly celebrated for his performances in the operas of Verdi and Puccini. Born in Barcelona, he made his debut on the operatic stage at 11 and went on to a career that included over 60 roles, performed in the world's leading opera houses and in numerous recordings. He gained fame with a larger audience as one of the Three Tenors along with Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti in a series of concerts that began in 1990 and continued until 2003. Carreras is also known for his humanitarian work as the president of the José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation, which he established after his own recovery from the disease in 1988.
ENRICO CARUSO - Caruso was born in Naples, Italy. He received little primary education and briefly studied music. His early income was from singing serenades. He made his operatic debut on March 15, 1895 at a back street theatre in his hometown. He auditioned for Giacomo Puccini in the summer of 1897. In May, 1902, Caruso debuted at the Covent Garden Opera in Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi. He made his Metropolitan Opera (NYC, USA) debut in November 1903. He performed for the Met the next eighteen seasons, making 607 appearances in 37 different operatic productions. Caruso was the first recording star in history, who sold more than a million records with his 1902 recording of 'Vesti la giubba' from Pagliacci (Clowns) by Leoncavallo.
ENRICO CARUSO - Caruso was born in Naples, Italy. He received little primary education and briefly studied music. His early income was from singing serenades. He made his operatic debut on March 15, 1895 at a back street theatre in his hometown. He auditioned for Giacomo Puccini in the summer of 1897. In May, 1902, Caruso debuted at the Covent Garden Opera in Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi. He made his Metropolitan Opera (NYC, USA) debut in November 1903. He performed for the Met the next eighteen seasons, making 607 appearances in 37 different operatic productions. Caruso was the first recording star in history, who sold more than a million records with his 1902 recording of 'Vesti la giubba' from Pagliacci (Clowns) by Leoncavallo.
JORGE DE LEÓN - He studied in the Canary Islands and in Italy as well. He attracted attention when he won 2 important prizes at Singing Competitions in 2004 and 2005. He achieved important recognition with Verdi's Aida in France, and with Bizet's Carmen in Madrid. He also sang in Seville, with great success. He sang Verdi's Aida at La Scala in 2012 and Puccini's Turandot in Florence. In January 2017 he sang at El Liceu in Barcelona.
JORGE DE LEÓN - He studied in the Canary Islands and in Italy as well. He attracted attention when he won 2 important prizes at Singing Competitions in 2004 and 2005. He achieved important recognition with Verdi's Aida in France, and with Bizet's Carmen in Madrid. He also sang in Seville, with great success. He sang Verdi's Aida at La Scala in 2012 and Puccini's Turandot in Florence. In January 2017 he sang at El Liceu in Barcelona.
VICTORIA DE LOS ÁNGELES - She was a Spanish soprano and recitalist whose career began after the Second World War and reached its peak in the years from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. She studied voice and guitar at the Barcelona Conservatory, graduating in just three years in 1941 at age 18. In 1941, while still a student, she made her operatic debut as Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème at the Liceu, afterwards resuming her musical studies. In 1945, she returned to the Liceu to make her professional debut as the Countess in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. She gave many recitals, mostly of French, German Lieder and Spanish songs. She made many widely acclaimed recordings.
VICTORIA DE LOS ÁNGELES - She was a Spanish soprano and recitalist whose career began after the Second World War and reached its peak in the years from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. She studied voice and guitar at the Barcelona Conservatory, graduating in just three years in 1941 at age 18. In 1941, while still a student, she made her operatic debut as Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème at the Liceu, afterwards resuming her musical studies. In 1945, she returned to the Liceu to make her professional debut as the Countess in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. She gave many recitals, mostly of French, German Lieder and Spanish songs. She made many widely acclaimed recordings.
JOYCE DIDONATO - Joyce DiDonato, an American coloratura mezzo-soprano notable for her interpretations of the works of Handel, Mozart and Rossini, is one of the finest singers of our time, and she demonstrates the ability to bring emotional life into the characters of her wide repertoire. DiDonato has distinguished herself by winning many of the most respected awards and honours. In 1995, on completing an apprenticeship with the Santa Fe Opera, she received the Outstanding Apprentice Artist award. Other awards and honours soon followed.
JOYCE DIDONATO - Joyce DiDonato, an American coloratura mezzo-soprano notable for her interpretations of the works of Handel, Mozart and Rossini, is one of the finest singers of our time, and she demonstrates the ability to bring emotional life into the characters of her wide repertoire. DiDonato has distinguished herself by winning many of the most respected awards and honours. In 1995, on completing an apprenticeship with the Santa Fe Opera, she received the Outstanding Apprentice Artist award. Other awards and honours soon followed.
PLÁCIDO DOMINGO - He was born in Madrid, Spain in 1941. Known as "the King of Opera," Plácido Domingo is one of the most famous tenors of all time. He first studied piano and conducting before working on his vocal talents. Domingo began his career in Mexico and Israel before becoming a star in the opera world in the 1960s. Before long, Domingo was at the Metropolitan Opera and at other opera houses around the world. In 1983, he won his first Grammy Award and appeared in a film version of Verdi's La Traviata. Domingo later joined Luciano Pavarotti and Josep Carreras to perform and record as "The Three Tenors." This trio enjoyed international success during the 1990s. The recording of their first concert proved to be a big hit and earned the trio a Grammy Award for best classical vocal performance. Today Domingo continues to perform around the world.
PLÁCIDO DOMINGO - He was born in Madrid, Spain in 1941. Known as "the King of Opera," Plácido Domingo is one of the most famous tenors of all time. He first studied piano and conducting before working on his vocal talents. Domingo began his career in Mexico and Israel before becoming a star in the opera world in the 1960s. Before long, Domingo was at the Metropolitan Opera and at other opera houses around the world. In 1983, he won his first Grammy Award and appeared in a film version of Verdi's La Traviata. Domingo later joined Luciano Pavarotti and Josep Carreras to perform and record as "The Three Tenors." This trio enjoyed international success during the 1990s. The recording of their first concert proved to be a big hit and earned the trio a Grammy Award for best classical vocal performance. Today Domingo continues to perform around the world.
RENÉE FLEMING - Renée is an American soprano. She has sung roles in Italian, German, French, Czech, and Russian, besides from her native English. Her roles include Countess Almaviva in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro and Violetta in Verdi's La traviata. A National Medal of Arts and a Richard Tucker Award winner, she regularly performs in opera houses and concert halls worldwide. She has also sung jazz and indie rock.
RENÉE FLEMING - Renée is an American soprano. She has sung roles in Italian, German, French, Czech, and Russian, besides from her native English. Her roles include Countess Almaviva in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro and Violetta in Verdi's La traviata. A National Medal of Arts and a Richard Tucker Award winner, she regularly performs in opera houses and concert halls worldwide. She has also sung jazz and indie rock.
MIGUEL FLETA - In spite of his short stage career, lasting from 1919 to 1935, Fleta has been described as one of the most important Spanish opera singers of the 20th century. Among the important international places at which he sang were La Scala, Milan, (in 1923-26) and the New York Metropolitan Opera (in 1923-25). Additionally, in 1926, he played Calaf in Puccini's Turandot. Fleta made his operatic debut in Trieste, Italy in 1919, having previously studied voice at the Madrid conservatory. Successful engagements in Rome followed, leading to his La Scala and Met debuts. He had a rich, flexible voice. Unfortunately, by the late 1920's his voice deteriorated. He retired in 1935. However, he left us many great recordings, many of which have been reissued as CDs.
MIGUEL FLETA - In spite of his short stage career, lasting from 1919 to 1935, Fleta has been described as one of the most important Spanish opera singers of the 20th century. Among the important international places at which he sang were La Scala, Milan, (in 1923-26) and the New York Metropolitan Opera (in 1923-25). Additionally, in 1926, he played Calaf in Puccini's Turandot. Fleta made his operatic debut in Trieste, Italy in 1919, having previously studied voice at the Madrid conservatory. Successful engagements in Rome followed, leading to his La Scala and Met debuts. He had a rich, flexible voice. Unfortunately, by the late 1920's his voice deteriorated. He retired in 1935. However, he left us many great recordings, many of which have been reissued as CDs.
JUAN DIEGO FLÓREZ - Juan Diego Flórez was born in Lima, Perú on 13 January 1973. His father was a singer, who specialised in performing the waltzes of Peruvian composer Chabuca Granda. Juan Diego inherited both his father's vocal talent and his love for Latin American music. His mother, another music-lover, gave him full support. In 1990, after attending classes at various academies and taking his first singing lessons, he gained a place at Peru's National Conservatory of Music. Juan Diego then won a scholarship to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, USA. He studied there between 1993 and 1996, and had the opportunity to sing in a number of complete operas, with an orchestra. He has played numerous roles all over the world with tremendous success. On June 4, 2007, he received his country's highest distinction, the Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Sun of Perú.
JUAN DIEGO FLÓREZ - Juan Diego Flórez was born in Lima, Perú on 13 January 1973. His father was a singer, who specialised in performing the waltzes of Peruvian composer Chabuca Granda. Juan Diego inherited both his father's vocal talent and his love for Latin American music. His mother, another music-lover, gave him full support. In 1990, after attending classes at various academies and taking his first singing lessons, he gained a place at Peru's National Conservatory of Music. Juan Diego then won a scholarship to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, USA. He studied there between 1993 and 1996, and had the opportunity to sing in a number of complete operas, with an orchestra. He has played numerous roles all over the world with tremendous success. On June 4, 2007, he received his country's highest distinction, the Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Sun of Perú.
MIRELLA FRENI - The Italian soprano Mirella Freni was born into a working class family in Modena. She was a musically gifted child and sang Un bel dì vedremo from Puccini's Madama Butterfly in a radio competition at the age of ten. She made her operatic debut in Modena in 1955, at age 19, as Micaëla in Georges Bizet's Carmen. She resumed her career in 1958 by winning a singing competition and singing Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème at the Teatro Regio in Torino. She then sang with the Netherlands Opera during the 1959-1960 season. After that she sang almost everywhere. On 15 May 2005 the Metropolitan Opera celebrated Mirella Freni's seventieth birthday, her fiftieth anniversary on the stage and her fortieth anniversary with the Company. The occasion served as the legendary diva's unannounced farewell to a long and succesful career.
MIRELLA FRENI - The Italian soprano Mirella Freni was born into a working class family in Modena. She was a musically gifted child and sang Un bel dì vedremo from Puccini's Madama Butterfly in a radio competition at the age of ten. She made her operatic debut in Modena in 1955, at age 19, as Micaëla in Georges Bizet's Carmen. She resumed her career in 1958 by winning a singing competition and singing Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème at the Teatro Regio in Torino. She then sang with the Netherlands Opera during the 1959-1960 season. After that she sang almost everywhere. On 15 May 2005 the Metropolitan Opera celebrated Mirella Freni's seventieth birthday, her fiftieth anniversary on the stage and her fortieth anniversary with the Company. The occasion served as the legendary diva's unannounced farewell to a long and succesful career.
CHRISTIAN GERGAHER - The German baritone Christian Gerhaher studied in Munich. He also studied philosophy and medicine in Munich and Rome, graduating with a medical doctorate. In addition, he attended the Opera School at the Hochschüle für Musik und Theater in Munich, where, among other roles, he sang Papageno in Mozart's The Magic Flute under the direction of Sir Colin Davis. Together with his regular piano partner Gerold Huber he took Lieder classes and today he is one of the best specialists in that genre.
CHRISTIAN GERGAHER - The German baritone Christian Gerhaher studied in Munich. He also studied philosophy and medicine in Munich and Rome, graduating with a medical doctorate. In addition, he attended the Opera School at the Hochschüle für Musik und Theater in Munich, where, among other roles, he sang Papageno in Mozart's The Magic Flute under the direction of Sir Colin Davis. Together with his regular piano partner Gerold Huber he took Lieder classes and today he is one of the best specialists in that genre.
MARILYN HORNE - The outstanding American mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne's father was a strong musical influence in her life. He encouraged his daughter to pursue her musical dreams. She studied music at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, USA. Marilyn made her operatic debut at the age of twenty. When her father died, Marilyn travelled to Europe hoping to establish her career. There she sang soprano roles such as Mimi in La Bohème. She soon became an international star and began performing regularly in the world's great opera houses. Marilyn Horne has been called "probably the greatest singer in the world" (Opera News, 1981). She is, no doubt, one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos in opera history and is probably the greatest Rossini interpreter ever. She has been singing for over 40 years and her contributions to the opera world live on in her numerous recordings.
MARILYN HORNE - The outstanding American mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne's father was a strong musical influence in her life. He encouraged his daughter to pursue her musical dreams. She studied music at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, USA. Marilyn made her operatic debut at the age of twenty. When her father died, Marilyn travelled to Europe hoping to establish her career. There she sang soprano roles such as Mimi in La Bohème. She soon became an international star and began performing regularly in the world's great opera houses. Marilyn Horne has been called "probably the greatest singer in the world" (Opera News, 1981). She is, no doubt, one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos in opera history and is probably the greatest Rossini interpreter ever. She has been singing for over 40 years and her contributions to the opera world live on in her numerous recordings.
PHILIPPE JAROUSSKY - The French counter-tenor Philippe Jaroussky studied violin and piano at the conservatory in Versailles. In 1996, he began his voice studies and continued them at the department of Early Music of the conservatory in Paris. Philippe Jaroussky is noted for a virtuoso technique and for lively interpretations of Baroque cantatas and opera. He received the 2007 best French lyrical artist. Philippe Jaroussky has established himself as the most admired counter-tenor of his generation, as confirmed by many other awards and distinctions.
PHILIPPE JAROUSSKY - The French counter-tenor Philippe Jaroussky studied violin and piano at the conservatory in Versailles. In 1996, he began his voice studies and continued them at the department of Early Music of the conservatory in Paris. Philippe Jaroussky is noted for a virtuoso technique and for lively interpretations of Baroque cantatas and opera. He received the 2007 best French lyrical artist. Philippe Jaroussky has established himself as the most admired counter-tenor of his generation, as confirmed by many other awards and distinctions.
KIRI TE KANAWA - A very fine singer, after winning some awards Kiri became a star in New Zealand, her country, and was accepted without audition to study at the London Opera Centre in 1965. Kiri Te Kanawa came to international attention as the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro. After achieving world-wide celebrity status, Kiri was made an Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Her performances include Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte, Violetta in La Traviata, the leading role in Tosca, Pamina in The Magic Flute and, most notably, her numerous performances as Donna Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni. In 1981, Kiri Te Kanawa was chosen to sing at St. Paul's cathedral at the marriage of HRH the Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer. The following year she was created a Dame of the British Empire by HM Queen Elizabeth II.
KIRI TE KANAWA - A very fine singer, after winning some awards Kiri became a star in New Zealand, her country, and was accepted without audition to study at the London Opera Centre in 1965. Kiri Te Kanawa came to international attention as the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro. After achieving world-wide celebrity status, Kiri was made an Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Her performances include Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte, Violetta in La Traviata, the leading role in Tosca, Pamina in The Magic Flute and, most notably, her numerous performances as Donna Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni. In 1981, Kiri Te Kanawa was chosen to sing at St. Paul's cathedral at the marriage of HRH the Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer. The following year she was created a Dame of the British Empire by HM Queen Elizabeth II.
JONAS KAUFMANN - The tenor Jonas Kaufmann completed his formal music studies in Munich, Germany. He was a prize-winner at the 1993 Nürnberg Meistersinger Competition. Jonas Kaufmann's professional career began already during his studies, singing small roles in Munich. During this period he was also invited to sing at the leading opera houses of the world. Now enjoying a great career, Jonas Kaufmann has quickly become one of the leading tenors of his generation and has been engaged by many of the world's best concert halls.
JONAS KAUFMANN - The tenor Jonas Kaufmann completed his formal music studies in Munich, Germany. He was a prize-winner at the 1993 Nürnberg Meistersinger Competition. Jonas Kaufmann's professional career began already during his studies, singing small roles in Munich. During this period he was also invited to sing at the leading opera houses of the world. Now enjoying a great career, Jonas Kaufmann has quickly become one of the leading tenors of his generation and has been engaged by many of the world's best concert halls.
ALFREDO KRAUS - Kraus was a distinguished Spanish tenor from the Canary islands, particularly known for the virtuosity he brought to operas' roles. His father was Austrian and his mother was Canarian. He began his musical career with piano lessons at the age of four, and he sang in the school choir when he was eight. After refining his technique singing Spanish Zarzuela in Madrid and Barcelona, Kraus made his professional opera debut in Cairo during 1956 as the Duke in Verdi's Rigoletto, which became one of his most popular roles. In 1958, he sang Alfredo in a production of Verdi's La traviata with Maria Callas. Thanks to his great technique and careful use of his vocal resources, Kraus sang until his early 70s.
ALFREDO KRAUS - Kraus was a distinguished Spanish tenor from the Canary islands, particularly known for the virtuosity he brought to operas' roles. His father was Austrian and his mother was Canarian. He began his musical career with piano lessons at the age of four, and he sang in the school choir when he was eight. After refining his technique singing Spanish Zarzuela in Madrid and Barcelona, Kraus made his professional opera debut in Cairo during 1956 as the Duke in Verdi's Rigoletto, which became one of his most popular roles. In 1958, he sang Alfredo in a production of Verdi's La traviata with Maria Callas. Thanks to his great technique and careful use of his vocal resources, Kraus sang until his early 70s.
GREGORY KUNDE - Gregory Kunde is an American tenor particularly associated with the French and Italian repertoires. He made his professional debut in 1978 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He later made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He made his Royal Opera debut in 2016 as Manrico in Verdi's The Trobadour. He won considerable acclaim in Europe. He has sung at the most important concert halls all over the world and has recorded widely. He has given many concerts and recitals. His many awards include the 2016 International Opera Award for best male singer.
GREGORY KUNDE - Gregory Kunde is an American tenor particularly associated with the French and Italian repertoires. He made his professional debut in 1978 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He later made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He made his Royal Opera debut in 2016 as Manrico in Verdi's The Trobadour. He won considerable acclaim in Europe. He has sung at the most important concert halls all over the world and has recorded widely. He has given many concerts and recitals. His many awards include the 2016 International Opera Award for best male singer.
PEDRO LAVIRGEN - Born July 31, 1930, in Bujalance, Córdoba, Spain, this powerful dramatic tenor has acted in the best opera houses in the world. He studied in Madrid. He sang both Spanish Zarzuela and opera, with great success. He performed in Madrid, Barcelona, Vienna, New York, Milan... collecting numerous awards and recognitions along the way. He retired in 1993.
PEDRO LAVIRGEN - Born July 31, 1930, in Bujalance, Córdoba, Spain, this powerful dramatic tenor has acted in the best opera houses in the world. He studied in Madrid. He sang both Spanish Zarzuela and opera, with great success. He performed in Madrid, Barcelona, Vienna, New York, Milan... collecting numerous awards and recognitions along the way. He retired in 1993.
HIPÓLITO LÁZARO - He was born in Barcelona, Spain on September 13, 1887. There he made his professional debut in 1910, and his Italian debut the same year. He sang mainly Verdi's opera, as well as Spanish Zarzuela. He sang in the US and also at La Scala. The second part of Lázaro's career, from the mid-1920s to his final appearances in 1950, consisted of concerts and performances in Spain, Paris, and Italy. He also made various trips to South America, where he was very popular, especially in Cuba. He wrote two books after his retirement: his autobiography and a singing method.
HIPÓLITO LÁZARO - He was born in Barcelona, Spain on September 13, 1887. There he made his professional debut in 1910, and his Italian debut the same year. He sang mainly Verdi's opera, as well as Spanish Zarzuela. He sang in the US and also at La Scala. The second part of Lázaro's career, from the mid-1920s to his final appearances in 1950, consisted of concerts and performances in Spain, Paris, and Italy. He also made various trips to South America, where he was very popular, especially in Cuba. He wrote two books after his retirement: his autobiography and a singing method.
PILAR LORENGAR - Lorenza García was born in Zaragoza, Spain. She used the professional name Pilar Lorengar. She was best known for her interpretations of opera and the Spanish genre Zarzuela, and she was known for the extraordinary range of her voice and beautiful expression. At a very young age she took part in a radio program in her hometown. She began formal music lessons at the age of fourteen. She moved to Barcelona to study and began singing under the name Loren Arce in order to pay for her lessons. She studied in Madrid and also in Berlin. Her international opera career started in 1955 in France, where she played Cherubino in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. She was Violetta in Verdi's La traviata in Berlin, and Donna Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She also performed in Brussels, Milan, Vienna, Paris and Tokyo. In 1991 Lorengar announced her retirement and performed her last concert in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
PILAR LORENGAR - Lorenza García was born in Zaragoza, Spain. She used the professional name Pilar Lorengar. She was best known for her interpretations of opera and the Spanish genre Zarzuela, and she was known for the extraordinary range of her voice and beautiful expression. At a very young age she took part in a radio program in her hometown. She began formal music lessons at the age of fourteen. She moved to Barcelona to study and began singing under the name Loren Arce in order to pay for her lessons. She studied in Madrid and also in Berlin. Her international opera career started in 1955 in France, where she played Cherubino in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. She was Violetta in Verdi's La traviata in Berlin, and Donna Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She also performed in Brussels, Milan, Vienna, Paris and Tokyo. In 1991 Lorengar announced her retirement and performed her last concert in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
CHRISTA LUDWIG - Ludwig is a retired German dramatic mezzo-soprano, distinguished for her performances of opera, Lieder, oratorio, and other religious works. Her career lasted from the late 1940s until the early 1990s. She is recognised as one of the finest singers of the 20th century. In 1954, Ludwig made her debut at the Salzburg Festival in Germany as Cherubino in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro. She joined the Vienna State Opera in 1955, and she performed with the company for more than thirty years. She made her American debut at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 1959. At the Metropolitan Opera, she quickly became one of the audience's favourites, Her Lieder performances of Schubert, Schumann, Brahms and Strauss are much admired. In 1993-1994, Ludwig gave a lot of recitals in many cities and made her farewell appearance at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, as Fricka in Wagner's The Walkyrie.
CHRISTA LUDWIG - Ludwig is a retired German dramatic mezzo-soprano, distinguished for her performances of opera, Lieder, oratorio, and other religious works. Her career lasted from the late 1940s until the early 1990s. She is recognised as one of the finest singers of the 20th century. In 1954, Ludwig made her debut at the Salzburg Festival in Germany as Cherubino in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro. She joined the Vienna State Opera in 1955, and she performed with the company for more than thirty years. She made her American debut at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 1959. At the Metropolitan Opera, she quickly became one of the audience's favourites, Her Lieder performances of Schubert, Schumann, Brahms and Strauss are much admired. In 1993-1994, Ludwig gave a lot of recitals in many cities and made her farewell appearance at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, as Fricka in Wagner's The Walkyrie.
MARÍA JOSÉ MONTIEL - She is a Spanish mezzo-soprano born in Madrid. She graduated in vocal performance at the Madrid Conservatory before moving to Vienna for further training. She studied law at the Autonomous University of Madrid, where she also gained a postgraduate Diploma in History and Science of Music. She has sung the protagonist role in Bizet's Carmen in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Spain and Japan. She was a soloist in Verdi's Requiem performed in the concert halls of Vienna, Frankfurt, Milan and Budapest, as well as in Tokyo. She has sung at Carnegie Hall in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D. C., and at the Salle Pleyel and the Paris Opera.
MARÍA JOSÉ MONTIEL - She is a Spanish mezzo-soprano born in Madrid. She graduated in vocal performance at the Madrid Conservatory before moving to Vienna for further training. She studied law at the Autonomous University of Madrid, where she also gained a postgraduate Diploma in History and Science of Music. She has sung the protagonist role in Bizet's Carmen in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Spain and Japan. She was a soloist in Verdi's Requiem performed in the concert halls of Vienna, Frankfurt, Milan and Budapest, as well as in Tokyo. She has sung at Carnegie Hall in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D. C., and at the Salle Pleyel and the Paris Opera.
MARÍA JOSÉ MORENO - The Spanish soprano María José Moreno was born in Granada but raised in Madrid. Her operatic debut was in 1996. That same year she took part in different events throughout Spain, singing La Bohème by Puccini and Rigoletto by Verdi among others. She was also invited as soloist in multiple concerts. During the 1996-1997 season, María José Moreno won the Francisco Viñas Singing International Contest in Barcelona and rendered her first performance at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid. Many operatic roles followed at great theatres. She debuted in La Scala with Gilda of Rigoletto. She also performed in Vienna, with tremendous success. She frequently performs Zarzuelas.
MARÍA JOSÉ MORENO - The Spanish soprano María José Moreno was born in Granada but raised in Madrid. Her operatic debut was in 1996. That same year she took part in different events throughout Spain, singing La Bohème by Puccini and Rigoletto by Verdi among others. She was also invited as soloist in multiple concerts. During the 1996-1997 season, María José Moreno won the Francisco Viñas Singing International Contest in Barcelona and rendered her first performance at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid. Many operatic roles followed at great theatres. She debuted in La Scala with Gilda of Rigoletto. She also performed in Vienna, with tremendous success. She frequently performs Zarzuelas.
JESSYE NORMAN - This exceptionally gifted American soprano Jessye Norman, received in 1961 a scholarship to study at Howard University in Washington, D.C.; She continued her training at the Conservatory of Music in Baltimore and at the University of Michigan. Norman made her operatic debut in 1969 at the Berlin Deutsche Oper. From there she went to sing in Milan, London and New York. In 1986 she appeared as soloist in Strauss's 'Vier Letzte Lieder' ('Four Last Songs') with the Berliner Philharmoniker during its tour of the USA. In September 1989, she was the soloist with Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. She brings her beautiful voice and spontaneous passion to recital performances, operatic portrayals, and appearances with symphony orchestras and chamber music collaborators, to the delight of her fans worldwide. Her repertoire is most varied, making her one of the most talented concert and operatic singers of her time.
JESSYE NORMAN - This exceptionally gifted American soprano Jessye Norman, received in 1961 a scholarship to study at Howard University in Washington, D.C.; She continued her training at the Conservatory of Music in Baltimore and at the University of Michigan. Norman made her operatic debut in 1969 at the Berlin Deutsche Oper. From there she went to sing in Milan, London and New York. In 1986 she appeared as soloist in Strauss's 'Vier Letzte Lieder' ('Four Last Songs') with the Berliner Philharmoniker during its tour of the USA. In September 1989, she was the soloist with Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. She brings her beautiful voice and spontaneous passion to recital performances, operatic portrayals, and appearances with symphony orchestras and chamber music collaborators, to the delight of her fans worldwide. Her repertoire is most varied, making her one of the most talented concert and operatic singers of her time.
SIMÓN ORFILA - This bass-baritone was born in Alaior, Menorca, The Balearic Islands (Spain). At 18 he moved to Madrid to pursue his musical studies under Alfredo Kraus. His repertoire includes Puccini's Turandot, Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, Rossini's The Barber of Seville and he has sung at the most important opera houses all over the world.
SIMÓN ORFILA - This bass-baritone was born in Alaior, Menorca, The Balearic Islands (Spain). At 18 he moved to Madrid to pursue his musical studies under Alfredo Kraus. His repertoire includes Puccini's Turandot, Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, Rossini's The Barber of Seville and he has sung at the most important opera houses all over the world.
RENÉ PAPE - René Pape was born in Dresden, Germany. Pape received his musical education from 1974 to 1981 and had his debut with the Berlin Staatsoper. He achieved international recognition in 1991, when Sir Georg Solti chose him for the role of Sarastro in a production of Mozart's The Magic Flute, a role he sang again the same year at La Scala in Milan. In 1995 he debuted with The Metropolitan Opera. Pape performs regularly in major opera houses and his repertoire includes virtually all the great German bass heroes.
RENÉ PAPE - René Pape was born in Dresden, Germany. Pape received his musical education from 1974 to 1981 and had his debut with the Berlin Staatsoper. He achieved international recognition in 1991, when Sir Georg Solti chose him for the role of Sarastro in a production of Mozart's The Magic Flute, a role he sang again the same year at La Scala in Milan. In 1995 he debuted with The Metropolitan Opera. Pape performs regularly in major opera houses and his repertoire includes virtually all the great German bass heroes.
LUCIANO PAVAROTTI - A tenor known for his interesting and successful career, Luciano Pavarotti helped expand the popularity of opera worldwide. He made numerous recordings of complete operas and individual arias, and was famous for the quality of his tone. He sold over 100 million records. After abandoning the dream of becoming a football goalkeeper, Pavarotti spent seven years in vocal training. Pavarotti's earliest musical influences were his father's recordings, most of them featuring the popular tenors of the day. Luciano never learned to read music, which did not prevent him from being an opera star loved by thousands everywhere.
LUCIANO PAVAROTTI - A tenor known for his interesting and successful career, Luciano Pavarotti helped expand the popularity of opera worldwide. He made numerous recordings of complete operas and individual arias, and was famous for the quality of his tone. He sold over 100 million records. After abandoning the dream of becoming a football goalkeeper, Pavarotti spent seven years in vocal training. Pavarotti's earliest musical influences were his father's recordings, most of them featuring the popular tenors of the day. Luciano never learned to read music, which did not prevent him from being an opera star loved by thousands everywhere.
JOAN PONS - Also known as Juan Pons, this Spanish tenor made his international debut in 1980 at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Since then, he has been a guest of the most important theatres all over the world, including the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, the Vienna Staatsoper, Covent Garden in London, the Opéra of Paris, the Liceu in Barcelona and the Arena of Verona. His repertoire includes all the main baritone roles. By 2011, Juan Pons had sung 337 performances at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
JOAN PONS - Also known as Juan Pons, this Spanish tenor made his international debut in 1980 at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Since then, he has been a guest of the most important theatres all over the world, including the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, the Vienna Staatsoper, Covent Garden in London, the Opéra of Paris, the Liceu in Barcelona and the Arena of Verona. His repertoire includes all the main baritone roles. By 2011, Juan Pons had sung 337 performances at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
JESSICA PRATT - Jessica Pratt (born 20 June 1979) is a soprano. Born in Bristol, England, she has lived in Australia since 1991 and is the daughter of a tenor. She began by studying the trumpet for ten years before concentrating on singing. In 2003 she won the Australian Singing Competition, which brought her to Europe, and she was invited to continue her studies at the Rome Opera. She also studied at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, finally moving to Milan in 2006 to complete her studies. Since that time she has begun to make a career in many of the world's great opera houses.
JESSICA PRATT - Jessica Pratt (born 20 June 1979) is a soprano. Born in Bristol, England, she has lived in Australia since 1991 and is the daughter of a tenor. She began by studying the trumpet for ten years before concentrating on singing. In 2003 she won the Australian Singing Competition, which brought her to Europe, and she was invited to continue her studies at the Rome Opera. She also studied at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, finally moving to Milan in 2006 to complete her studies. Since that time she has begun to make a career in many of the world's great opera houses.
LEONTYNE PRICE - Leontyne Price, born on 20 February 1927 became one of the first internationally recognized African-American opera stars. Acclaimed for her early stage and television work, Price made her opera stage debut at the San Francisco Opera in 1957, and her debut at New York City's Metropolitan Opera House in 1961. She became known for her roles in Verdi's Il Trovatore (The Trobadour) and Aida. In 1955, Price starred in the NBC Opera Theatre's television production of Giacomo Puccini's Tosca. By 1958, Price was a success with European audiences at such famous places as the Covent Garden in England and La Scala in Milan. She had reached stardom at home as well as on an international level. Price said farewell to opera in the main role of Verdi's Aida at the Met in 1985, which was broadcast on TV and claimed as one of the most successful opera performances in the Met's history.
LEONTYNE PRICE - Leontyne Price, born on 20 February 1927 became one of the first internationally recognized African-American opera stars. Acclaimed for her early stage and television work, Price made her opera stage debut at the San Francisco Opera in 1957, and her debut at New York City's Metropolitan Opera House in 1961. She became known for her roles in Verdi's Il Trovatore (The Trobadour) and Aida. In 1955, Price starred in the NBC Opera Theatre's television production of Giacomo Puccini's Tosca. By 1958, Price was a success with European audiences at such famous places as the Covent Garden in England and La Scala in Milan. She had reached stardom at home as well as on an international level. Price said farewell to opera in the main role of Verdi's Aida at the Met in 1985, which was broadcast on TV and claimed as one of the most successful opera performances in the Met's history.
ISABEL REY - She was born in Valencia, Spain. Rey has performed leading roles in the opera houses of Europe and appears on many recordings. Rey won an important singing competition in Bilbao, Spain and made her international debut in 1988. She has sung all over her country and also in Austria, Belgium and Russia. Isabel shows both a great singing technique and great expression. She has performed over 60 operatic roles in 2 decades. She appears in a good number of DVDs together with artists like Josep Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Jonas Kaufmann, Juan Diego Flórez and Alfredo Kraus, to name only a few.
ISABEL REY - She was born in Valencia, Spain. Rey has performed leading roles in the opera houses of Europe and appears on many recordings. Rey won an important singing competition in Bilbao, Spain and made her international debut in 1988. She has sung all over her country and also in Austria, Belgium and Russia. Isabel shows both a great singing technique and great expression. She has performed over 60 operatic roles in 2 decades. She appears in a good number of DVDs together with artists like Josep Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Jonas Kaufmann, Juan Diego Flórez and Alfredo Kraus, to name only a few.
NURIA RIAL - Born in 1975 in Manresa, Catalonia, Spain, she is a soprano. Rial has specialized in the music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras, such as the works of Handel and Monteverdi. Her repertoire also includes Mozart opera roles, as well as German, French, Catalan and Spanish songs. She began her musical studies in 1995 at the Barcelona Conservatory, finishing with a Diploma in both voice and piano. She has won several important awards and made a good number of recordings.
NURIA RIAL - Born in 1975 in Manresa, Catalonia, Spain, she is a soprano. Rial has specialized in the music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras, such as the works of Handel and Monteverdi. Her repertoire also includes Mozart opera roles, as well as German, French, Catalan and Spanish songs. She began her musical studies in 1995 at the Barcelona Conservatory, finishing with a Diploma in both voice and piano. She has won several important awards and made a good number of recordings.
ELISABETH SCHWARZKOPF - Dame Olga Maria Elisabeth Friederike Schwarzkopf (1915 - 2006) was a soprano. She was among the best singers of Lieder, and was renowned for her performances of Viennese operetta, as well as the operas of Mozart, Wagner and Richard Strauss. After retiring from the stage, she was a voice teacher internationally. She is considered one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century.
ELISABETH SCHWARZKOPF - Dame Olga Maria Elisabeth Friederike Schwarzkopf (1915 - 2006) was a soprano. She was among the best singers of Lieder, and was renowned for her performances of Viennese operetta, as well as the operas of Mozart, Wagner and Richard Strauss. After retiring from the stage, she was a voice teacher internationally. She is considered one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century.
RENATA TEBALDI - Among the most beloved opera singers, critics have said that she possessed one of the most beautiful voices of the 20th century. Tebaldi became interested in music at a very early age. Her mother sent her, at the age of thirteen, for piano lessons with a teacher who suggested that she should study voice. She debuted at La Scala in 1946. She went on a concert tour with the La Scala ensemble in 1950, first to the Edinburgh Festival and then on to London. Controversy arose regarding a supposed rivalry between Tebaldi and the great Greek-American soprano Maria Callas. Tebaldi made her American debut in 1950 with Verdi's Aida at the San Francisco Opera. By the end of her career, Tebaldi had sung in 1,262 performances, 1,048 complete operas, and 214 concerts.
RENATA TEBALDI - Among the most beloved opera singers, critics have said that she possessed one of the most beautiful voices of the 20th century. Tebaldi became interested in music at a very early age. Her mother sent her, at the age of thirteen, for piano lessons with a teacher who suggested that she should study voice. She debuted at La Scala in 1946. She went on a concert tour with the La Scala ensemble in 1950, first to the Edinburgh Festival and then on to London. Controversy arose regarding a supposed rivalry between Tebaldi and the great Greek-American soprano Maria Callas. Tebaldi made her American debut in 1950 with Verdi's Aida at the San Francisco Opera. By the end of her career, Tebaldi had sung in 1,262 performances, 1,048 complete operas, and 214 concerts.
BRYN TERFEL - Bryn is a Welsh opera singer known for his bass-baritone voice and his performances in operas by Mozart, Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner. His family was a musical one. He was trained in London and by the early 1990s he was already involved in a professional singing career. In 1992 Gramophone magazine named him Young Singer of the Year, and in 1993 Terfel was proclaimed Newcomer of the Year in the International Classical Music Awards. Among Terfel's most important operatic roles are the title characters in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni. Bryn is also well-known for singing Lieders and other songs, besides opera. The combination of a great voice and diction, wonderful stage presence and the ability for acting has given Bryn Terfel an excellent reputation and he is often invited to sing at the world's leading theatres.
BRYN TERFEL - Bryn is a Welsh opera singer known for his bass-baritone voice and his performances in operas by Mozart, Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner. His family was a musical one. He was trained in London and by the early 1990s he was already involved in a professional singing career. In 1992 Gramophone magazine named him Young Singer of the Year, and in 1993 Terfel was proclaimed Newcomer of the Year in the International Classical Music Awards. Among Terfel's most important operatic roles are the title characters in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni. Bryn is also well-known for singing Lieders and other songs, besides opera. The combination of a great voice and diction, wonderful stage presence and the ability for acting has given Bryn Terfel an excellent reputation and he is often invited to sing at the world's leading theatres.
EMILI VENDRELL - Emili Vendrell (1893- 1962​) was a prominent Spanish tenor and a great singer of Catalan songs. He sang all over Spain and also in France, Britain and Italy, as well as in Latin America. He popularized Catalan music everywhere through live concerts as well as on the radio and in recordings. He joined the highly-acclaimed choir Orfeó Català in Barcelona in 1911. He was also well-known as a singer of Zarzuelas.
EMILI VENDRELL - Emili Vendrell (1893- 1962​) was a prominent Spanish tenor and a great singer of Catalan songs. He sang all over Spain and also in France, Britain and Italy, as well as in Latin America. He popularized Catalan music everywhere through live concerts as well as on the radio and in recordings. He joined the highly-acclaimed choir Orfeó Català in Barcelona in 1911. He was also well-known as a singer of Zarzuelas.
FRANCESC VIÑAS - Also known as Francisco Viñas, he was a Spanish tenor. Born in a small town and coming from a humble family, he worked as a farmer and also at a factory as a young man. He started learning music at his local church and in 1879 he moved to Barcelona, where he joined the Conservatory. In 1888 he was invited to sing at El Liceu. He later sang all over Italy as well as in London and New York. He was a specialist in Wagnerian roles. The most prestigious award presented by El Liceu carries his name.
FRANCESC VIÑAS - Also known as Francisco Viñas, he was a Spanish tenor. Born in a small town and coming from a humble family, he worked as a farmer and also at a factory as a young man. He started learning music at his local church and in 1879 he moved to Barcelona, where he joined the Conservatory. In 1888 he was invited to sing at El Liceu. He later sang all over Italy as well as in London and New York. He was a specialist in Wagnerian roles. The most prestigious award presented by El Liceu carries his name.


Celso Albelo 

Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, is a Spanish operatic tenor. He has sung leading roles in many opera houses including Teatro alla Scala (Milan, Italy); the Royal Opera House (London, United Kingdom) and Teatro La Fenice (Venice, Italy).  In 2006, he debuted as Duca di Mantova in Rigoletto (Verdi).  His elegant singing has made him one of the most requested tenors on the international opera scene. His impressive high notes and beautiful voice give him the opportunity to gradually widen his repertoire.  Celso Albelo has been awarded the Opera Actual Prize 2008, the Opera Oscar by the Arena di Verona Foundation (2010-2012) and the Teatro Campoamor National Prize for Opera 2010-2012. He has been awarded the Medalla de Oro de Canarias 2013, among other distinctions.

Ainhoa Arteta

Born at Tolosa, Basque province of Gipuzkoa, she is a Spanish classical soprano. She grew up in a musical environment. After winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 1993, she debuted at the Metropolitan Opera House (NYC, USA) in October 1994 as Mimì in La Bohème. Her first performance at Covent Garden was in 2002 when she sang Musetta.  Her performance of Lieder, songs and zarzuela are very much acclaimed, as are those of her operatic roles. She has never stopped studying in order to take new challenges and has received many awards and distinctions for her work.

Cecilia Bartoli

She is an Italian coloratura mezzo-soprano who achieved global success thanks to her outstanding vocal skills and her wonderful presence on the stage.  She started singing when she was a teenager.  At age 19 she started a professional career and attracted the attention of conductors Herbert von Karajan and Daniel Barenboim.  Bartoli's roles included Rosina in Rossini's Barber of Seville as well as Cherubino in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro.  She has become one of the most popular performers.

María Bayo

María is a Spanish soprano.  She studied at the Conservatorio Navarro de Música Pablo Sarasate in Pamplona, Spain and also in Germany.  She won many singing competitions all over Spain and started her international career in 1988, when she won the first prize in a competition in Belvedere, Vienna.  She was Susanna in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro.  She sang in Paris, Hamburg, Brussels, London, Buenos Aires, New York and Milan.  At La Scala she played Musetta in Puccini's La Bohème.  She had a great success at El Liceu in Barcelona, Spain as well.  She often sang with tenors Alfredo Kraus and Plácido Domingo. She has sung a lot of Spanish  zarzuelas and has given many recitals too.  In 2002 she sang several times in the US.   She has a great personal voice and is a talented actress.  Her recordings, of great quality, are numerous.


ooOoo  


Teresa Berganza

Teresa Berganza studied music at the Madrid Conservatory. She was awarded first prize for singing in 1954 at the Conservatory.  In 1957 she gave her first recital at the Madrid Ateneo and later performed  in Milan.  That same year, she made her La Scala debut. Teresa has performed in all the most prestigious theatres and concert halls, and has worked with great conductors.  Her repertoire ranges from the Italian baroque masters to 20th century composers with particular attention to Spanish music.  Her concert repertoire includes songs by Latin-American composers, French songs, German lieder and Russian songs.  She has also contributed to the revival of Spanish zarzuela. She shared the 1991 Prince of Asturias Award for arts and letters with six other Spanish singers. In 1992, she participated in the opening ceremonies of Expo '92 in Seville and the opening ceremonies of the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Montserrat Caballé

Caballé was a Spanish operatic soprano. She studied music at the Liceu Conservatory, where she graduated with a gold medal in 1954. She moved to Basel, Switzerland, where she made her professional debut in 1956 as Mimì in Puccini's La bohème.  On April 20, 1965, on extremely short notice, she substituted for Marilyn Horne in a concert, achieving a wonderful success and becoming a superstar overnight. During her career she sang a great variety of roles. Caballé became popular to non-classical music audiences in 1987, when she recorded the song "Barcelona", a duet with singer Freddie Mercury of the rock group Queen which became an official theme song for the 1992 Olympic Games.  Caballé recorded extensively throughout her long career and made many notable recordings of complete operas as well as recital albums.  She received several international awards and also Grammy Awards for many of her recordings. 

María Callas

Maria Callas was born in New York City in 1923.  At age seven Callas began her musical studies by taking piano lessons. Her powerful soprano voice, capable of dealing with all kinds of roles, was intensely dramatic; combined with her strong sense of theatre and her high artistic standards, it made her one of the best singers of her time.  She made her professional debut with the Royal Opera of Athens, and soon won her first major role with Tosca. Eventually winning international acclaim, Callas made her Italian opera debut at the Verona Arena in 1947, later followed by her 1954 American debut.  During the 1960s, the quality and frequency of her performances declined.  On September 16, 1977, Callas died in Paris of a heart attack.  

Mariola Cantarero

Mariola Cantarero was born in Granada and started her studies in music at her hometown Conservatory; she later continued studying in Vienna. During the season 2000/2001 she made her debut at "Teatro Comunale" in Geneve, achieving a great success.  She has been conducted by renowned Maestros such as Zubin Mehta or Abbado.  She has performed in "Teatro Real" and "Teatro de la Zarzuela" in Madrid, "Teatro del Liceo" in Barcelona, as well as in the principal Spanish theatres.  Also, Mariola has been repeatedly acting in Zurich, Amsterdam, Detroit, Strasbourg, Santiago de Chile, Korea, Shanghai... She has been presented with various international singing awards, namely ¨Francisco Viñas", "Operalia 99", and "Pedro Lavirgen",  in addition to many others in recognition of her professional career.

ooOoo


Enrico Caruso

Caruso was born in Naples, Italy. He received little primary education and briefly studied music. His early income was from singing serenades.  He made his operatic debut on March 15, 1895 at a back street theatre in his hometown.   He auditioned for Giacomo Puccini in the summer of 1897.  In May, 1902, Caruso debuted at the Covent Garden Opera in Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi.  He made his Metropolitan Opera (NYC, USA) debut in November 1903. He performed for the Met the next eighteen seasons, making 607 appearances in 37 different operatic productions.   Caruso was the first recording star in history, who sold more than a million records with his 1902 recording of 'Vesti la giubba' from Pagliacci (Clowns) by Leoncavallo.

Joyce Didonato

Joyce DiDonato, an American operatic lyric-coloratura mezzo-soprano notable for her interpretations of the works of Handel, Mozart and Rossini, is one of the finest singers of our time, and she demonstrates the ability to bring emotional life into the characters of her wide repertoire.  DiDonato has distinguished herself by winning many of the most respected awards and honours.  In 1995, on completing an apprenticeship with the Santa Fe Opera, she received the Outstanding Apprentice Artist award. Other awards and honours soon followed. 

Plácido Domingo

He was born in Madrid, Spain in 1941. Known as "the King of Opera," Plácido Domingo is one of the most famous tenors of all time. He first studied piano and conducting before working on his vocal talents. Domingo began his career in Mexico and Israel before becoming a rising star in the opera world in the 1960s. Before long, Domingo was at the Metropolitan Opera and at other opera houses around the world.  In 1983, he won his first Grammy Award and appeared in a film version of Verdi's La Traviata. Domingo later joined Luciano Pavarotti and Josep Carreras to perform and record as "The Three Tenors." This trio enjoyed international success during the 1990s.  The recording of that concert proved to be a big hit and earned the trio a Grammy Award for best classical vocal performance.  Today Domingo continues to perform around the world. 

Renée Fleming

Renée is an American opera singer and soprano.  She has sung roles in Italian, German, French, Czech, and Russian, aside from her native English.  Her signature roles include Countess Almaviva in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro, Desdemona in Verdi's Otello and Violetta in Verdi's La traviata,  A National Medal of Arts and  a Richard Tucker Award winner, she regularly performs in opera houses and concert halls worldwide.  At the Last Night of the Proms in London in 2010, Fleming performed songs by Richard Strauss, Dvořák and Smetana.  She has also sung jazz and indie rock. 


ooOoo


Miguel Fleta

In spite of his short stage career, lasting from 1919 to 1935, Fleta has been described as one of the most important Spanish opera singers of the 20th century. Among the important international places at which he sang were La Scala, Milan, (in 1923-26) and the New York Metropolitan Opera (in 1923-25). Additionally, in 1926, he played Calaf in Puccini's final opera, Turandot.  Fleta made his operatic debut in Trieste, Italy in 1919, having previously studied voice at the Madrid conservatory. Successful engagements in Rome followed, leading to his La Scala and Met debuts.   He had a rich, flexible voice.  Unfortunately, by the late 1920's his voice deteriorated.  He retired in 1935. However, he left us many great recordings, many of which have been reissued as CDs.

Juan Diego Flórez

Juan Diego Flórez was born in Lima, Perú on 13 January 1973.  His father was a singer, who specialised in performing the waltzes of Peruvian composer Chabuca Granda. Juan Diego inherited both his father's vocal talent and his love for Latin American music. His mother, another music-lover, gave him full support.  In 1990, after attending classes at various academies and taking his first singing lessons, he gained a place at Peru's National Conservatory of Music.  Juan Diego then won a scholarship to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, USA. He studied there between 1993 and 1996, and had the opportunity to sing in a number of complete operas, with an orchestra.  He has played numerous roles all over the world with tremendous success.  On June 4, 2007, he received his country's highest distinction, the Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Sun of Perú.

Mirella Freni

The Italian soprano Mirella Freni was born into a working class family in Modena.  She was a musically gifted child and sang Un bel dì vedremo from Puccini's Madama Butterfly in a radio competition at the age of ten.  She made her operatic debut in Modena in 1955, at age 19, as Micaëla in Georges Bizet's Carmen. She resumed her career in 1958 by winning a singing competition and singing Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème at the Teatro Regio in Torino. She then sang with the Netherlands Opera during the 1959-1960 season.  After that she sang almost everywhere.  On 15 May 2005 the Metropolitan Opera celebrated Mirella Freni's seventieth birthday, her fiftieth anniversary on the stage and her fortieth anniversary with the Company. The occasion served as the legendary diva's unannounced farewell to a long and succesful career.

Christian Gerhaher

The German baritone Christian Gerhaher studied  in Munich. He also studied philosophy and medicine in Munich and Rome, graduating with a medical doctorate. In addition, he attended the Opera School at the Hochschüle für Musik und Theater in Munich, where, among other roles, he sang Papageno in Mozart's The Magic Flute under the direction of Sir Colin Davis. Together with his regular piano partner Gerold Huber he took lied classes and today he is one of the best specialists in that genre.  


ooOoo


Marilyn Horne

The outstanding American mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne's father was a strong musical influence in her life.  He encouraged his daughter to pursue her musical dreams. She studied music at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, USA.   Marilyn made her operatic debut at the age of twenty.  When her father died, Marilyn travelled to Europe hoping to establish her career.  There she sang soprano roles such as Mimi in La Bohème.  She soon became an international star and began performing regularly in the world's great opera houses.   Marilyn Horne has been called "probably the greatest singer in the world" (Opera News, 1981). She is, no doubt, one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos in opera history and is probably the greatest Rossini interpreter ever. She has been singing for over 40 years and her contributions to the opera world live on in her numerous recordings.

Philippe Jaroussky

The French counter-tenor Philippe Jaroussky studied violin and piano at the conservatory in Versailles. In 1996, he began his voice studies and continued them  at the department of Early Music of the conservatory in Paris.  Philippe Jaroussky is noted for a virtuoso technique and for lively interpretations of baroque cantatas and opera. He received the 2007 best French lyrical artist. Philippe Jaroussky has established himself as the most admired countertenor of his generation, as confirmed by many other awards and distinctions.

Kiri Te Kanawa

A very fine singer, after winning a couple of awards Kiri became a star in New Zealand, her country, and was accepted without audition to study at the London Opera Centre in 1965.  Kiri Te Kanawa came to international attention as the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro. After achieving world-wide celebrity status, Kiri was made an Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.  Her performances include Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte, Violetta in La Traviata, Tosca in Tosca, Pamina in The Magic Flute and, most notably, her numerous performances as Donna Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni.  In 1981, Kiri Te Kanawa was chosen to sing at St. Paul's cathedral at the marriage of HRH the Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer. The following year she was created a Dame of the British Empire by HM Queen Elizabeth II. 

Jonas Kauffmann

The tenor Jonas Kaufmann completed his formal music studies in Munich, Germany. He was a prize-winner at the 1993 Nürnberg Meistersinger Competition.  Jonas Kaufmann's professional career began already during his studies, singing small roles in Munich.  During this period he was also invited to sing at the leading opera houses of the world.  Now enjoying a great career, Jonas Kaufmann has quickly become one of the leading tenors of his generation and has been engaged by many of the world's best concert halls.


ooOoo


Alfredo Kraus

Kraus was a distinguished Spanish tenor from the Canary islands, particularly known for the virtuosity he brought to opera's roles.  He was also considered an outstanding interpreter of the title role in the French opera Werther, and especially of its famous aria, "Pourquoi me réveiller?"  His father was Austrian and his mother was Canarian. He began his musical career with piano lessons at the age of four, and he sang in the school choir when he was eight.  After refining his technique singing Spanish zarzuela in Madrid and Barcelona, Kraus made his professional opera debut in Cairo during 1956 as the Duke in Verdi's Rigoletto, which became one of his signature roles.  In 1958, he sang Alfredo in a production of Verdi's La traviata with Maria Callas.  Thanks to his great technique and careful use of his vocal resources, Kraus sang until his early 70s.

Pilar Lorengar

Lorenza García was born in Zaragoza, Spain.  She used the professional name Pilar Lorengar. She was best known for her interpretations of opera and the Spanish genre Zarzuela, and she was known for the extraordinary range of her voice and beautiful expression.  At a very young age she took part in a radio program in her hometown.  She began formal music lessons at the age of fourteen.   She moved to Barcelona to study and began singing under the name Loren Arce in order to pay for her lessons. She studied in Madrid and also in Berlin.  Her international opera career started in 1955 in France, where she played Cherubino in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. She was Violetta in  Verdi's La traviata in Berlin, and Donna Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She also performed in Brussels, Milan, Vienna, Paris and even as far away as Tokyo. In 1991 Lorengar announced her retirement and performed her last concert in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.

Christa Ludwig

Ludwig is a retired German dramatic mezzo-soprano, distinguished for her performances of opera, Lieder, oratorio, and other religious works. Her career lasted from the late 1940s until the early 1990s. She is recognised as one of the most distinguished singers of the 20th century.  In 1954, Ludwig made her debut at the Salzburg Festival in Germany as Cherubino in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro.  She joined the Vienna State Opera in 1955, and she performed with the company for more than thirty years.  She made her American debut at the Lyric Opera of Chicago as Dorabella in Mozart's Così fan tutte in 1959.  At the Metropolitan Opera, she quickly became one of the audience's favourites,  Her Lieder performances of Schubert, Schumann, Brahms and Strauss are much admired.  In 1993-1994, Ludwig gave a lot of recitals in many cities and made her farewell appearance at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, as Fricka in Wagner's The Walkyrie.


María José Montiel

She is a Spanish mezzo-soprano born in Madrid.  She graduated in vocal performance at the Madrid Conservatory before moving to Vienna for further training.  She studied law at the Autonomous University of Madrid, where she also gained a postgraduate diploma in History and Science of Music.  She has sung the protagonist role in Bizet's Carmen in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Spain and Japan. She was a soloist in Verdi's Requiem performed in the concert halls of Vienna, Frankfurt, Milan and Budapest, as well as in Tokyo.  She has sung at Carnegie Hall in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D. C., and at the Salle Pleyel and the Paris Opera.


ooOoo


Jessye Norman

The exceptionally gifted black American soprano Jessye Norman, received in 1961 a scholarship to study at Howard University in Washington, D.C.; She continued her training at the Conservatory of Music in Baltimore and at the University of Michigan.  Norman made her operatic debut in 1969 as Elisabeth in Wagner's Tannhauser at the Berlin Deutsche Oper.  From there she went to sing in Milan, London and New York.  In 1986 she appeared as soloist in Strauss's Vier Letzte Lieder with the Berliner Philharmoniker during its tour of the USA. In September 1989, she was the soloist with Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. She  brings her beautiful voice and spontaneous passion to recital performances, operatic portrayals, and appearances with symphony orchestras and chamber music collaborators, to the delight of her fans worldwide.  Her repertoire is most varied, making her one of the most talented concert and operatic singers of her time.

Simón Orfila

This bass-baritone was born in Alaior, Menorca, The Balearic Islands (Spain).  At 18 he moved to Madrid to pursue his musical studies under Alfredo Kraus.  His repertoire includes Puccini's Turandot, Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, Rossini's The Barber of Seville and he has sung at the most important opera houses all over the world.

Luciano Pavarotti

A tenor known for his interesting and successful career, Luciano Pavarotti helped expand the popularity of opera worldwide.  He made numerous recordings of complete operas and individual arias, and was famous for the quality of his tone.  He sold over 100 million records.  After abandoning the dream of becoming a football goalkeeper, Pavarotti spent seven years in vocal training. Pavarotti's earliest musical influences were his father's recordings, most of them featuring the popular tenors of the day.  Luciano never learned to read music, which did not prevent him from being an opera star loved by thousands everywhere.

René Pape

René is a German operatic bass.  He received his musical education from 1974 to 1981 and had his debut in Berlin.   He soon sang in Milan, Paris, Chicago and made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1995.  He  debuted at London's Royal Opera Covent Garden as King Heinrich in Wagner's Lohengrin in 1997.  Pape performs regularly in major opera houses,and concert halls around the world, as well as in opera festivals such as Bayreuth, Glyndebourne and Salzburg.  Pape has received two Grammys for his recordings, was named "Vocalist of the Year" by Musical America in 2002, "Artist of the Year" by the German opera critics in 2006  and won in 2009 an ECHO award (the German equivalent of the Grammy) for his solo arias CD "Gods, Kings and Demons".

ooOoo


Leontyne Price

Leontyne Price, born on 20 February 1927 became one of the first internationally recognized African-American opera stars. Acclaimed for her early stage and television work, Price made her opera stage debut at the San Francisco Opera in 1957, and her debut at New York City's Metropolitan Opera House in 1961.   She became known for her roles in Verdi's Il Trovatore and Aida.  In 1955, Price starred in the NBC Opera Theatre's television production of Giacomo Puccini's Tosca.  By 1958, Price was a success with European audiences at such famous places as the Covent Garden in England and La Scala in Milan. She had reached stardom at home as well as on an international level.  Price said farewell to opera in the main role of Aida at the Met in 1985, which was broadcast on TV and claimed as one of the most successful opera performances in the Met's history. 

Isabel Rey

She was born in Valencia, Spain.  Rey has performed leading roles in the opera houses of Europe and appears on many recordings.  Rey won an important singing competition in Bilbao, Spain and made her international debut in 1988.  She has sung all over her country and also in Austria, Belgium and Russia.  Isabel shows both a great singing technique and great expression.  She has performed over 60 operatic roles in 2 decades.  She appears in a good number of DVDs together with artists like  Josep Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Jonas Kaufmann, Juan Diego Flórez and Alfredo Kraus, to name only a few.

Renata Tebaldi

Among the most beloved opera singers, she has been said to have possessed one of the most beautiful voices of the 20th century.  Tebaldi became interested in music at a very early age.  Her mother sent her, at the age of thirteen, for piano lessons with a teacher who suggested that she should study voice.  She debuted at La Scala in 1946.  She went on a concert tour with the La Scala ensemble in 1950, first to the Edinburgh Festival and then on to London.  Controversy arose regarding a supposed rivalry between Tebaldi and the great Greek-American soprano Maria Callas.  Tebaldi made her American debut in 1950 as Aida at the San Francisco Opera.  By the end of her career, Tebaldi had sung in 1,262 performances, 1,048 complete operas, and 214 concerts.

Bryn Terfel

Bryn is a Welsh opera singer known for his bass-baritone voice and his performances in operas by Mozart, Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner.  His family was a musical one.  He was trained in London and by the early 1990s he was already involved in a professional singing career.  In 1992 Gramophone magazine named him Young Singer of the Year, and in 1993 Terfel was proclaimed Newcomer of the Year in the International Classical Music Awards.  Among Terfel's most important operatic roles are the title characters in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni.  Bryn is also well-known for singing Lieders and other songs, besides opera.  The combination of a great voice and diction, wonderful stage presence and the ability for acting has given Bryn Terfel an excellent reputation and he is often invited to sing at the world's leading theatres.


ooOoo


Add the following:

Jaume Aragall

Born in Barcelona in 1939, he started an international career performing the most important tenor roles in works by Verdi and Puccini. When he returned to Spain, he made his debut at El Liceu in Barcelona. Thanks to several singing awards, he was able to go to Italy to pursue his studies; he debuted at La Scala in Milan after some time. His repertoire covers over 30 operas and he has performed at theatres all over the world, sharing the stage with Montserrat Caballé, Josep Carreras, Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.

Manuel Ausensi

He studied singing in Valencia and then in the Municipal Conservatory of Barcelona. His debut was in 1946 at the Tivoli Theater in Barcelona. In 1947 he sang in El Liceu.  He was considered particularly outstanding in Rigoletto, but also sang eighteenth century music such as Mozart and French romantic opera.  He recorded a famous full version of Rossini's The Barber of Seville co-starring Teresa Berganza and Ugo Benelli in 1964. He also recorded the leading role in several Spanish zarzuelas.  He retired in 1973,

Javier Camarena

The Mexican tenor Javier Camarena studied voice in his country. In 2004, he won the first prize at a Singing Competition in Mexico and then an award at the Francisco Viñas Competition in Barcelona a year later.  He made his debut at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico FD.  He sang at the Metropolitan Opera in October 2011 in Rossini's The Barber of Seville, singing the role of Court Almaviva.  Camarena became only the third singer in the history of the Metropolitan Opera to perform an encore onstage, and on March 12, 2016 he became the second singer to perform multiple encores. 

Josep Carreras

Also known as José Carreras, he is a Spanish tenor who is particularly known for his performances in the operas of Verdi and Puccini.  Born in Barcelona, he made his debut on the operatic stage at 11 and went on to a career that included over 60 roles, performed in the world's leading opera houses and in numerous recordings. He gained fame with a larger audience as one of the Three Tenors along with Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti in a series of concerts that began in 1990 and continued until 2003.  Carreras is also known for his humanitarian work as the president of the José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation, which he established after his own recovery from the disease in 1988.[ 

Jorge de León

He studied in the Canary Islands and in Italy as well.  He attracted attention when he won 2 important prizes at Singing Competitions in 2004 and 2005.  He achieved important recognition with Verdi's Aida in France, and with Bizet's Carmen in Madrid. He also sang in Seville, with great success.  He sang Verdi's Aida at La Scala in 2012 and Puccini's Turandot in Florence.  In January 2017 he sang at El Liceu in Barcelona.

Victoria de los Ángeles

She was a Spanish operatic lyric soprano and recitalist whose career began after the Second World War and reached its peak in the years from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s.  She studied voice and guitar at the Barcelona Conservatory, graduating in just three years in 1941 at age 18.  In 1941, while still a student, she made her operatic debut as Mimì in Puccini's La bohème at the Liceu, afterwards resuming her musical studies. In 1945, she returned to the Liceu to make her professional debut as the Countess in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro.  She gave many recitals focusing on mostly French, German Lieder and Spanish songs.  She made many widely acclaimed recordings.

Gregory Kunde 

Gregory Kunde is an American tenor particularly associated with the French and Italian repertoires.  He made his professional debut in 1978 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.  He later made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.  He made his Royal Opera debut in 2016 as Manrico with Verdi's The Trobadour. He won considerable acclaim in Europe.  He has sung at the most important concert halls all over the world and has recorded widely.  He  has given many concerts and recitals.  His many awards include the 2016 International Opera Award for best male singer. 

Pedro Lavirgen

Born July 31, 1930, in Bujalance, Córdoba, Spain, this powerful dramatic tenor has acted in the best opera houses in the world.  He studied in Madrid.   He sang both Spanish Zarzuela and opera, with great success.  He performed in Madrid, Barcelona, Vienna, New York, Milan... collecting numerous awards and recognitions along the way.  He retired in 1993. 

Hipólito Lázaro

He was born in Barcelona, Spain on September 13, 1887.  There he made his professional debut in 1910, and his Italian debut the same year.     He sang mainly Verdi's opera, as well as Spanish Zarzuela.  He sang in the US and also at La Scala.  The second part of Lázaro's career, from the mid-1920s to his final appearances in 1950, consisted of concerts and performances in Spain, Paris, and Italy. He also made various trips to South America, where he was very popular, especially in Cuba.  He wrote two books after his retirement: his autobiography and a singing method.

María José Moreno

The Spanish soprano María José Moreno was born in Granada but raised in Madrid.  Her operatic debut was in 1996.  That same year she took part in different operatic events throughout Spain, La Bohème by Puccini and Rigoletto by Verdi among others.  She was also invited as soloist in multiple concerts.  During the 1996-1997 season, María José Moreno won the Francisco Viñas Singing International Contest in Barcelona and rendered her first performance at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid.  Many operatic roles followed at great theatres.  She debuted in La Scala with Gilda of Rigoletto.  She also performed in Vienna, with tremendous success.  She frequently performs zarzuelas.  
 

René Pape

René Pape was born in Dresden, Germany.  Pape received his musical education from 1974 to 1981 and had his debut with the Berlin Staatsoper.  He achieved international recognition in 1991, when Sir Georg Solti gave him the role of Sarastro in a production of The Magic Flute, a role he sang again the same year at La Scala in Milan. In 1995 he debuted with The Metropolitan Opera.  Pape performs regularly in major opera houses and his repertoire includes virtually all the great German bass heroes.
 

  

Joan Pons

Pons made his international debut in 1980 at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan.  Since then, he has been a guest of the most important theatres all over the world, including the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, the Vienna Staatsoper, Covent Garden in London, the Opéra of Paris, the Liceu in Barcelona and the Arena of Verona.  His repertoire includes all the main baritone roles. By 2011, Juan Pons had sung 337 performances at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

Jessica Pratt

Jessica Pratt (born 20 June 1979) is a soprano. Born in Bristol, England, she has lived in Australia since 1991 and is the daughter of a tenor. She began by studying the trumpet for ten years before concentrating on singing.  In 2003 she won the Australian Singing Competition, which brought her to Europe, and she was invited by to continue her studies at the Rome Opera, and while in Rome, she also studied at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, finally moving to Milan in 2006 to complete her studies. Since that time she has begun to make a career in many of the world's great opera houses.

Nuria Rial

Born in 1975 in Manresa, Catalonia, Spain)  she is a soprano. Rial has specialized in the music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras, such as the works of Handel and Monteverdi. Her repertoire also includes Mozart opera roles, as well as German, French, Catalan and Spanish songs.  She began her musical studies in 1995 at the Barcelona Conservatory, finishing with a diploma in both voice and piano.  She has won several important awards and made a good number of recordings.

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

Dame Olga Maria Elisabeth Friederike Schwarzkopf (1915 - 2006) was a soprano.  She was among the best singers of lieder, and was renowned for her performances of Viennese operetta, as well as the operas of Mozart, Wagner and Richard Strauss.  After retiring from the stage, she was a voice teacher internationally. S he is considered one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century.

Emili Vendrell

Emili Vendrell (1893- 1962​) was a prominent Spanish tenor and a great singer of Catalan songs.  He sang all over Spain and also in France, Britain and Italy, as well as in Latin America.  He popularized Catalan music everywhere through live concerts as well as on the radio and in recordings.  He joined the highly-acclaimed choir Orfeó Català in Barcelona in 1911.  He was also well-known as a singer of Zarzuelas.

Francesc Viñas

Also known as Francisco Viñas,  he was a Spanish tenor.  Born in a small town and coming from a humble family, he worked as a farmer and also at a factory as a young man.  He started learning music at his local church and in 1879 he moved to Barcelona, where he joined the Conservatory.  In 1888 he was invited to sing at El Liceu.  He later sang all over Italy as well as in London and New York.  He was a specialist in Wagnerian roles.


¡Crea tu página web gratis! Esta página web fue creada con Webnode. Crea tu propia web gratis hoy mismo! Comenzar