Birth

:

April 8, 1960 in Chicago, IL

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Deborah Voigt is a renowned American soprano who has made a name for herself in the world of classical music. Born on August 4, 1960, in Wheeling, Illinois, Voigt grew up in Southern California and began singing at a young age. She attended California State University, Fullerton, where she studied voice and music education. Voigt's career began to take off in the 1980s when she won several prestigious singing competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the Richard Tucker Award. She made her professional debut in 1985 as Amelia in Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera" with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Throughout the 1990s, Voigt continued to build her reputation as one of the leading sopranos of her generation. She made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1991 as Amelia in Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra" and went on to perform in many of the company's productions, including "Aida," "Tristan und Isolde," and "Die Walküre." One of Voigt's most memorable performances came in 1996 when she sang the title role in Richard Strauss's "Ariadne auf Naxos" at the Salzburg Festival. Her performance was widely praised, and she went on to perform the role at the Metropolitan Opera and other major opera houses around the world. In addition to her work in opera, Voigt has also performed in concert and recital settings. She has collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors and orchestras, including James Levine, Riccardo Muti, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Voigt's career has not been without its challenges. In the early 2000s, she struggled with weight issues and underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2004. She has since become an advocate for body positivity and has spoken openly about her struggles with weight and body image. Despite these challenges, Voigt has continued to perform at the highest level. In 2008, she sang the role of Brünnhilde in Wagner's "Ring" cycle at the Metropolitan Opera, a performance that was broadcast live in HD to cinemas around the world. She has also continued to perform in concert and recital settings, including a 2019 performance at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic. Throughout her career, Voigt has received numerous awards and honors. In addition to the Richard Tucker Award, she has been awarded the Opera News Award, the Beverly Sills Artist Award, and the National Medal of Arts. She has also been inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. In recent years, Voigt has taken on a new role as a teacher and mentor. She has served as a faculty member at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and has given masterclasses around the world. She has also written a memoir, "Call Me Debbie: True Confessions of a Down-to-Earth Diva," which was published in 2015. Deborah Voigt's career has been marked by her powerful voice, her versatility as a performer, and her resilience in the face of challenges. She has become one of the most beloved and respected sopranos of her generation, and her legacy in the world of classical music is sure to endure for many years to come.

More....