Hilda Dermota was a renowned classical music artist who was born on September 11, 1912, in the city of Rijeka, Croatia. She was the daughter of a music teacher and grew up in a family that was passionate about music. Her father recognized her talent at an early age and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Dermota began her musical education at the age of six, studying piano and singing. She later attended the Zagreb Academy of Music, where she studied under the guidance of renowned vocal coach Milka Trnina. She graduated with honors in 1935 and began her professional career as a soloist with the Zagreb Opera. In 1937, Dermota made her debut at the Vienna State Opera, where she quickly gained recognition for her powerful and expressive voice. She became a regular performer at the Vienna State Opera and went on to perform at other major opera houses throughout Europe, including the Royal Opera House in London, La Scala in Milan, and the Paris Opera. Dermota was known for her versatility as a performer, and she excelled in a wide range of operatic roles. She was particularly renowned for her performances of Mozart's operas, including "The Marriage of Figaro," "Don Giovanni," and "The Magic Flute." She was also highly regarded for her performances of Verdi's operas, including "La Traviata" and "Rigoletto." Throughout her career, Dermota received numerous awards and accolades for her performances. In 1949, she was awarded the title of Kammersängerin by the Austrian government, which is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a singer in Austria. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Republic of Austria in 1955 and the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 1960. One of Dermota's most memorable performances took place in 1955, when she performed the role of Donna Anna in a production of "Don Giovanni" at the Salzburg Festival. Her performance was widely praised by critics and audiences alike, and it helped to cement her reputation as one of the greatest opera singers of her time. Dermota continued to perform throughout the 1960s and 1970s, but she gradually began to scale back her performances as she approached retirement age. She gave her final performance in 1978, at the age of 66, in a production of "The Marriage of Figaro" at the Vienna State Opera. After retiring from the stage, Dermota continued to be involved in the music world as a teacher and mentor to young singers. She also served as a judge for several international singing competitions, including the Belvedere Competition and the International Mozart Competition. Dermota passed away on June 6, 1989, at the age of 76. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest opera singers of the 20th century, and her recordings continue to be celebrated by music lovers around the world. Her contributions to the world of classical music will always be remembered and cherished.

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