Birth

:

August 28, 1931

Death

:

August 7, 2014

Genre

:

Opera

 

Cristina Deutekom was a Dutch soprano who was born on August 28, 1931, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She was born as Stientje Engel and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a conductor and her mother was a singer. Deutekom started singing at a young age and received her first singing lessons from her mother. Deutekom's professional career started in 1958 when she won the International Vocal Competition in 's-Hertogenbosch. This win led to her debut at the Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam, where she performed the role of the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." This performance was a huge success and marked the beginning of Deutekom's international career. In 1963, Deutekom made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London, where she performed the role of Lucia in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor." This performance was also a huge success and led to Deutekom being invited to perform at other major opera houses around the world. One of Deutekom's most famous performances was her portrayal of the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." She performed this role numerous times throughout her career and was known for her high notes and virtuosic coloratura. Her performance of the aria "Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen" is considered one of the best in history. Deutekom also had success in other roles, including the title role in Donizetti's "Anna Bolena" and the role of Gilda in Verdi's "Rigoletto." She was known for her ability to sing difficult roles with ease and for her powerful voice. Throughout her career, Deutekom received numerous awards and honors. In 1971, she was awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau, a prestigious Dutch honor. She was also awarded the title of Kammersängerin by the Vienna State Opera in 1973, an honor given to only the most distinguished singers. Deutekom retired from performing in 1985 due to health issues. However, she continued to teach and mentor young singers. She was known for her dedication to her students and for her ability to pass on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of singers. Deutekom passed away on August 7, 2014, at the age of 82. She is remembered as one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century and as a pioneer for women in the opera world. Her legacy lives on through her recordings and the singers she mentored.

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