Country

:

Austria

Birth

:

February 12, 1902 in Ungarisch-Weisskirchen, Austria

Death

:

September 6, 1968 in Vienna, Austria

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Anny Konetzni was a renowned Austrian soprano who was born on June 4, 1902, in Vienna, Austria. She was the daughter of the famous Austrian tenor, Leo Slezak, and the sister of the well-known Austrian actress, Margarete Slezak. Konetzni grew up in a musical family and was exposed to classical music from a young age. She began her musical training at the Vienna Music Academy, where she studied under the tutelage of the renowned Austrian soprano, Selma Kurz. Konetzni made her professional debut in 1925 at the Vienna State Opera, where she performed the role of the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Her performance was well-received, and she quickly became a rising star in the world of classical music. Over the next few years, Konetzni performed in various operas and concerts throughout Europe, including in Berlin, Munich, and Paris. One of Konetzni's most notable performances was in 1935, when she performed the role of Brünnhilde in Wagner's "Die Walküre" at the Bayreuth Festival. This was a significant achievement for Konetzni, as the Bayreuth Festival was considered to be one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in the world. Her performance was highly praised by critics and audiences alike, and it cemented her reputation as one of the leading sopranos of her time. Konetzni continued to perform in various operas and concerts throughout Europe in the following years. She was particularly known for her performances in Wagnerian operas, such as "Tristan und Isolde" and "Parsifal." Her voice was praised for its clarity, power, and emotional depth, and she was considered to be one of the greatest Wagnerian sopranos of her time. In addition to her performances, Konetzni also received several awards and honors throughout her career. In 1937, she was awarded the title of Kammersängerin by the Austrian government, which is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a classical musician in Austria. She was also awarded the title of Honorary Member of the Vienna State Opera in 1956, in recognition of her contributions to the world of classical music. Konetzni continued to perform well into her later years, and she retired from the stage in 1966, at the age of 64. She passed away on July 14, 1968, in Vienna, Austria, at the age of 66. Despite her relatively short career, Konetzni left a lasting impact on the world of classical music, and she is remembered as one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century.

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