Mária Temesi was a Hungarian mezzo-soprano who was born on December 22, 1927, in Budapest, Hungary. She was the daughter of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a violinist and her mother was a pianist. Temesi began her musical studies at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where she studied voice with Zsuzsa Barlay and piano with Ernő Dohnányi. Temesi made her professional debut in 1950 at the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest, where she sang the role of Maddalena in Verdi's Rigoletto. She quickly became a favorite of audiences and critics alike, and her career took off. She went on to perform in many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and La Scala in Milan. Temesi was known for her rich, warm voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. She was particularly renowned for her interpretations of the works of Mozart, Verdi, and Wagner. She was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered many new works by Hungarian composers. One of Temesi's most memorable performances was in 1956, when she sang the role of Amneris in Verdi's Aida at the Hungarian State Opera during the Hungarian Revolution. The performance was broadcast live on Hungarian radio, and Temesi's powerful singing became a symbol of the revolution. She later said that it was one of the most emotional performances of her career. Temesi received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1961, she was awarded the Kossuth Prize, Hungary's highest cultural honor. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic in 1992. In 1997, she was awarded the Hungarian Heritage Award for her contributions to Hungarian culture. Temesi retired from the stage in 1990, but continued to teach and mentor young singers. She was a beloved figure in the Hungarian music community and was known for her generosity and kindness. She died on December 19, 1998, at the age of 70. In conclusion, Mária Temesi was a Hungarian mezzo-soprano who had a long and successful career in opera. She was known for her rich, warm voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. She was a champion of contemporary music and premiered many new works by Hungarian composers. She received many awards and honors throughout her career, including the Kossuth Prize and the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic. She was a beloved figure in the Hungarian music community and is remembered as one of the greatest singers of her generation.

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