Gundula Janowitz is a soprano who dominated a wide range of repertoire.

Born on August 2, 1937, in Berlin, she would become a naturalized Austrian. She studied in her hometown of Graz and was already singing at a high level in her 20s. In 1959, she was engaged by Herbert Von Karajan to sing in “Le Nozze di Figaro,” the beginning of a collaboration with the conductor that would have a major impact on her career (more on that below).

She would become a major opera star but she was also active on the recital stage. Her final opera performance came on May 18, 1990, at the Vienna State Opera when she sang the title role in “Ariadne auf Naxos.” She would sing lieder until 1997 when she retired completely from the stage.

Once she was done singing on stage, Janowitz took to teaching and in 1990, she temporarily took over as the opera director in Graz.

Her prestigious career earned her title of “Kammersängerin” in both Vienna and Berlin. She was also awarded the Joseph Marx Music Prize in 1978.  She is also an honorary member of the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Academy of Music, and the Academy of Music in Graz.

Major Roles

She sang a wide range of German opera throughout her career, dominating the works of Richard Strauss and those of Mozart. Her Countess in “Le Nozze di Figaro” is one of her iconic interpretation, as is her Marschallin in “Der Rosenkavalier. Her Countess appears in “The Shawshank Redemption.” 

Read More on Janowitz

Learn More About Her Working Relationship with Herbert Von Karajan

Watch and Listen 

Here is her legendary interpretation of Strauss’ “Four Last Songs” with Von Karajan.

And here she is as the Countess in “Le Nozze di Figaro.”