Death

:

January 8, 2009

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Deborah Riedel was a renowned Australian soprano who was born on June 1, 1961, in Melbourne, Australia. She was the youngest of three children and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a singer. Riedel started singing at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Riedel attended the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, where she studied under the guidance of Dame Joan Hammond. She later continued her studies in London with Vera Rozsa and in New York with Marlena Malas. Riedel's talent was quickly recognized, and she won several awards, including the Herald-Sun Aria Competition in 1981 and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 1983. Riedel made her professional debut in 1984 with the Victoria State Opera in Melbourne, where she performed the role of Pamina in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." She quickly gained recognition for her powerful voice and her ability to convey emotion through her performances. In 1985, Riedel made her debut with the Australian Opera in Sydney, where she performed the role of Micaela in Bizet's "Carmen." Riedel's international career began in 1986 when she was invited to perform at the Glyndebourne Festival in England. She performed the role of Susanna in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" and received critical acclaim for her performance. Riedel continued to perform at the Glyndebourne Festival for several years, and her performances were always well-received. In 1988, Riedel made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London, where she performed the role of Zerlina in Mozart's "Don Giovanni." She also made her debut at the Salzburg Festival in Austria, where she performed the role of Sophie in Strauss's "Der Rosenkavalier." Riedel's international career continued to flourish, and she performed at some of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Paris Opera, and the Berlin State Opera. One of Riedel's most memorable performances was in 1990 when she performed the role of Lucia in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Her performance was widely praised, and she received a standing ovation from the audience. Riedel continued to perform at the Metropolitan Opera for several years, and she became a favorite among audiences and critics alike. Riedel's career was not without its challenges. In 1994, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. Despite this setback, Riedel continued to perform, and her voice remained as powerful as ever. She became an advocate for breast cancer awareness and worked to raise funds for research and treatment. In 2000, Riedel was awarded the Order of Australia for her services to music. She continued to perform until 2004 when she announced her retirement from the stage. Her final performance was in the role of the Countess in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" at the Sydney Opera House. Deborah Riedel was a gifted soprano who left a lasting impression on the world of classical music. Her powerful voice and emotional performances touched the hearts of audiences around the world. She will always be remembered as one of Australia's greatest musical talents.

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