Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

April 13, 1941 in Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales

Death

:

January 28, 2011 in Cardigan, Wales

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Symphony

 

 

Vocal

 

Margaret Price was a Welsh soprano who was born on April 13, 1941, in Blackwood, South Wales. She was the youngest of four children and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a coal miner who played the piano and sang in a male voice choir, while her mother was a housewife who loved to sing. Margaret inherited her parents' love of music and began singing in the local church choir at a young age. Margaret's talent was recognized early on, and she was awarded a scholarship to study at the Trinity College of Music in London. She graduated with honors in 1962 and made her professional debut the following year at the Welsh National Opera as Cherubino in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." Her performance was well-received, and she quickly established herself as one of the leading sopranos of her generation. Margaret's career took off in the 1970s when she began performing at major opera houses around the world. She made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London in 1972 as Fiordiligi in Mozart's "Così fan tutte" and at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1974 as Donna Elvira in Mozart's "Don Giovanni." She also performed at the Paris Opera, the Vienna State Opera, and the Salzburg Festival, among others. Margaret was known for her beautiful voice, which had a rich, warm tone and a wide range. She was particularly admired for her interpretations of Mozart and Richard Strauss, but she also excelled in the works of Verdi, Puccini, and Wagner. Her performances were marked by a deep emotional intensity and a keen sense of musicality. Margaret's most famous roles included the Countess in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," Elsa in Wagner's "Lohengrin," and the Marschallin in Richard Strauss's "Der Rosenkavalier." She also sang in many operas by Verdi, including "La traviata," "Rigoletto," and "Don Carlos." Her performances in these roles were widely praised for their beauty and depth. Margaret was also a prolific recording artist, and she made many acclaimed recordings of operas and songs. Her recordings of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" and "Don Giovanni" are considered to be among the best ever made, and her recording of Richard Strauss's "Four Last Songs" is a classic of the genre. Margaret received many awards and honors throughout her career. She was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1982 and was awarded the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1993. She also received the Royal Philharmonic Society's Gold Medal in 1999, which is one of the highest honors in classical music. Margaret continued to perform well into her 60s, and her voice remained strong and beautiful until the end of her career. She retired from the stage in 1999 but continued to teach and mentor young singers. She died on January 28, 2011, at the age of 69. In conclusion, Margaret Price was one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century. Her beautiful voice, emotional intensity, and musicality made her a beloved performer around the world. Her recordings and performances continue to inspire and delight audiences today, and her legacy as a singer and teacher will be remembered for generations to come.

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