Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

Genre

:

Opera

 

Lauris Elms was a renowned Australian mezzo-soprano who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. She was born on November 20, 1918, in Sydney, Australia, to a family of musicians. Her father, William Elms, was a well-known baritone, and her mother, Gladys Moncrieff, was a famous soprano. Lauris grew up in a musical environment and started singing at a young age. Lauris Elms received her early education at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she studied under the guidance of Marjorie Hesse. She made her debut performance in 1941, singing the role of Maddalena in Verdi's Rigoletto. Her performance was well-received, and she soon became a popular figure in the Australian music scene. In 1948, Lauris Elms traveled to London to further her studies. She studied under the renowned vocal coach Roy Henderson and made her debut at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in 1951, singing the role of Amneris in Verdi's Aida. Her performance was a huge success, and she was praised for her powerful voice and commanding stage presence. Over the next few years, Lauris Elms performed in several major opera houses around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Paris Opera, and the Vienna State Opera. She was known for her versatility and could sing a wide range of roles, from the dramatic to the comic. One of Lauris Elms' most memorable performances was in the role of Azucena in Verdi's Il Trovatore. She performed the role at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in 1957, and her performance was widely regarded as one of the best in the history of the opera. She also performed the role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she received a standing ovation from the audience. Lauris Elms was also a prolific concert performer and performed in several major concert halls around the world. She was particularly known for her performances of Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde and Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder. She also performed in several recordings, including a highly acclaimed recording of Handel's Messiah with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Throughout her career, Lauris Elms received several awards and honors for her contributions to the world of classical music. In 1971, she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to music. She was also awarded the Order of Australia in 1985 for her contributions to the arts in Australia. Lauris Elms retired from performing in 1985 but continued to be involved in the music industry as a teacher and mentor. She taught at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was a vocal coach for several young singers. She also served as a judge for several music competitions, including the Sydney International Piano Competition. Lauris Elms passed away on July 5, 2013, at the age of 94. She was remembered as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of her generation and a true icon of Australian music. Her legacy continues to inspire young musicians around the world, and her contributions to the world of classical music will always be remembered.

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