Birth

:

August 30, 1922 in New York City, NY

Death

:

August 8, 2013

Genre

:

Opera

 

Regina Resnik was a renowned American mezzo-soprano, stage director, and voice teacher. She was born on August 30, 1922, in the Bronx, New York City, to Ukrainian-Jewish immigrant parents. Her father was a cantor, and her mother was a pianist. Resnik grew up in a musical household and started singing at a young age. She attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City and later studied at the Juilliard School. Resnik made her professional debut in 1942 as Leonora in Verdi's "Il trovatore" with the New York City Opera. She quickly gained recognition for her powerful voice and dramatic stage presence. In 1944, she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Maddalena in Verdi's "Rigoletto." She went on to perform over 300 times at the Met, singing a wide range of roles, including Carmen, Amneris, Klytemnestra, and the Countess in "The Queen of Spades." Resnik was known for her versatility and ability to portray complex characters. She was particularly acclaimed for her performances in the works of Richard Wagner. She sang the roles of Brangäne in "Tristan und Isolde," Fricka in "Die Walküre," and Kundry in "Parsifal." She also performed in the world premiere of Arnold Schoenberg's "Moses und Aron" at the Salzburg Festival in 1954. In addition to her opera career, Resnik was also a successful concert singer. She performed with major orchestras around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. She was also a frequent guest on television and radio programs, including "The Voice of Firestone" and "The Ed Sullivan Show." Resnik was not only a talented singer but also a skilled stage director. She directed productions of "Carmen," "La traviata," and "The Marriage of Figaro" at the New York City Opera. She also directed productions of "The Medium" and "The Telephone" by Gian Carlo Menotti at the Spoleto Festival in Italy. Throughout her career, Resnik received numerous awards and honors. She was a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor given to artists by the United States government. She was also inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Museum of Women in the Arts. In 1981, she was awarded the Handel Medallion, the highest honor given by the City of New York for excellence in the arts. Resnik retired from singing in 1984 and focused on teaching voice. She taught at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the University of Michigan. She also wrote a book on singing technique, "The Singer's Catechism and Creed," which was published in 1993. Regina Resnik passed away on August 8, 2013, at the age of 90. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of the 20th century. Her powerful voice, dramatic stage presence, and versatility as a performer continue to inspire singers and audiences around the world.

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