Birth

:

September 23, 1907 in Prague, Czech Republic

Death

:

February 9, 1994 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Jarmila Novotna was a Czech soprano who was born on September 23, 1907, in Prague, Czechoslovakia. She was the daughter of a famous Czech opera singer, Karel Novotny, who was a member of the National Theatre in Prague. Jarmila grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. She studied at the Prague Conservatory and made her debut at the National Theatre in 1925, at the age of 18. Novotna quickly gained recognition for her talent and was invited to perform in various opera houses across Europe. In 1928, she made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London, where she sang the role of Mimi in Puccini's La Boheme. She also performed at the Vienna State Opera, the Berlin State Opera, and the Paris Opera. In 1937, Novotna made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she sang the role of Marenka in Smetana's The Bartered Bride. She quickly became a favorite of the Met audience and went on to perform in many other productions, including Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, Verdi's Rigoletto, and Puccini's Madama Butterfly. One of Novotna's most famous performances was in the 1940 production of Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier at the Metropolitan Opera. She sang the role of Sophie, and her performance was widely praised by critics and audiences alike. Novotna also performed in several films, including The Great Waltz (1938) and The Search (1948). Novotna was known for her beautiful voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. She was particularly skilled at portraying young, innocent characters, such as Mimi in La Boheme and Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier. Her performances were marked by a sense of sincerity and authenticity that endeared her to audiences around the world. In addition to her successful career as an opera singer, Novotna was also a talented actress and dancer. She appeared in several stage productions and films, and she was known for her graceful movements and expressive gestures. Novotna received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1940, she was awarded the Order of the White Lion, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Czech citizen. She was also awarded the Medal of Freedom by the United States government in 1946, in recognition of her contributions to the war effort. Novotna retired from the stage in 1956, but she continued to teach and mentor young singers. She also wrote several books about her life and career, including her autobiography, Jarmila Novotna: My Life in Song. Novotna passed away on February 9, 1994, at the age of 86. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century, and her performances continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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