Gaetano Donizetti, born on Nov. 29, 1797, was one of the leading Bel Canto composers of all time. He wrote his first opera, “Il Pigmalione” at the age of 19 and he would go on to create 75 operas throughout his lifetime. His first major successes came with his comic operas, though in 1830, he scored a massive success with {…}
Premiering on November 25, 1847, “Martha” is adapted from a ballet composed by Friedrich von Flotow titled “Harriette, ou la servant de Greenwiche.” The ballet, which premiered three years earlier at the Paris Opera Ballet, is itself based on a story written by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges. Though not a regular in the repertory of opera houses today, “Martha” has {…}
Few tenors can boast the vocal technique and agility of Alfredo Kraus. Born on Nov. 24, 1927, in the Canary Islands of Spain, he started piano lessons at age four and was in the school choir at age eight. He started off learning Zarzuela but eventually made his professional debut as the Duke in “Rigoletto” in Cairo in 1956. From {…}
Benjamin Britten, born on Nov. 22, 1913, is arguably the greatest English composer of all time. He composed a plethora of major works across a wide variety of classical styles, but he was easily one of the most influential opera composers of the 20th century. His first “opera” was “Paul Bunyan,” which had its premiere on May 5, 1941. “Peter {…}
Sumi Jo was born on Nov. 22, 1962, in South Korea. Her mother had been an amateur singer and pianist who, due to political circumstances, could not study music and pursue a professional career. However, because of this, Jo’s mother did all she could to ensure that her daughter never lost the opportunities she did. So she enrolled her in {…}
René Kollo was one of the renowned Wagnerian tenors of the second half of the 20th century. Born in Berlin on Nov. 20, 1937, he initially attended school for photography. In the mid-1950s, he performed in jazz clubs as a self-taught drummer. He studied acting and slowly but surely woke up to the realization of his talent as a singer. {…}
Barbara Hendricks is the textbook example of a singer that can truly do it all. Born on Nov. 20, 1948, in Arkansas, she graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in mathematics and chemistry. But from there it was all music. She studied at Juilliard under mezzo-soprano Jennie Tourel and took master classes with Maria Callas. Per the {…}
One of the greatest Greek opera stars of all-time, Agnes Baltsa was born on Nov. 19, 1944. She kicked off her musical studies at age six as a pianist before moving to Athens in 1958 to become a singer. She studied on a Maria Callas scholarship in music upon graduating from the conservatory and made her first-ever appearance in an {…}
Italian soprano Amelita Galli-Curci is one of the most renowned and popular singers from the very start of the 20th century. She was born on Nov. 18, 1882, in Milan where she studied piano at the conservatory. By age 16, she was offered a professorship. She eventually trained as a singer, claiming to be largely self-trained. In 1906, she appeared {…}
How many opera singers could claim to have been nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards? Lawrence Tibbett can. Born on Nov. 16, 1896, the American baritone grew up in Los Angeles singing in church choirs and at funerals to survive after his father was killed in a shootout when he was but seven years old. He served as {…}
Austrian soprano Leonie Rysanek was one of the great dramatic sopranos of the 20th century. Born in Vienna on Nov. 14, 1926, Rysanek’s childhood saw her working in munition factories. She was hoping to be an actress, but her brother encouraged her to become a singer. So at age 16, she entered the Vienna Academy and by age 23 she {…}
