Country

:

Estonia

Birth

:

August 18, 1909 in Warsaw, Poland

Death

:

August 26, 1980 in Culver City, CA

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Miliza Korjus was a renowned classical music artist who was born on August 18, 1909, in Warsaw, Poland. She was the daughter of a Russian opera singer, and her mother was a Polish pianist. Her parents recognized her musical talent at an early age, and she began her training in music at the age of six. Korjus's family moved to Estonia when she was a child, and she continued her music education there. She studied at the Tallinn Conservatory and later at the Berlin State Opera School. She made her debut as an opera singer in 1930 at the Estonian National Opera, where she performed the role of Rosina in Rossini's "The Barber of Seville." Korjus's career took off quickly, and she became a sought-after performer in Europe and the United States. She was known for her soprano voice, which was described as "crystalline" and "pure." She was also known for her beauty and her ability to captivate audiences with her performances. One of Korjus's most significant performances was in the 1935 film "The Great Waltz," in which she played the role of Carla Donner, a fictionalized version of the real-life opera singer Carla Donner. The film was a huge success, and Korjus's performance was praised by critics and audiences alike. She also recorded several songs for the film's soundtrack, including "Voices of Spring" and "The Blue Danube." Korjus continued to perform in operas and concerts throughout the 1930s and 1940s. She performed in several productions of "The Merry Widow," including a 1937 production at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She also performed in productions of "La Traviata," "Rigoletto," and "Madame Butterfly." In addition to her opera performances, Korjus was also a popular concert performer. She performed in concerts throughout Europe and the United States, including a 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She also performed for several European royalty, including King Gustaf V of Sweden and King George VI of the United Kingdom. Korjus's career was interrupted by World War II, and she spent several years in the United States, where she continued to perform in concerts and on radio programs. She also made several recordings during this time, including a 1944 recording of "The Merry Widow" with the London Symphony Orchestra. After the war, Korjus returned to Europe and resumed her opera career. She performed in several productions of "The Merry Widow" in the 1950s and 1960s, including a 1953 production at the Vienna State Opera. She also performed in productions of "Die Fledermaus," "La Bohème," and "Don Giovanni." Korjus's career was recognized with several awards and honors. In 1936, she was awarded the Order of the White Star by the Estonian government for her contributions to Estonian culture. She was also awarded the Order of the Three Stars by the Latvian government in 1938. In 1960, Korjus was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR, the highest honor for an artist in the Soviet Union. She was also awarded the Order of Lenin, the highest civilian honor in the Soviet Union, in 1974. Korjus retired from performing in the 1970s and spent her later years in Switzerland. She died on August 26, 1980, at the age of 71. Miliza Korjus was a talented and accomplished classical music artist who captivated audiences with her beautiful voice and captivating performances. Her contributions to the world of opera and classical music will be remembered for generations to come.

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