Country

:

Sweden

Birth

:

July 11, 1925 in Stockholm, Sweden

Death

:

January 8, 2017 in Tolochenaz, Switzerland

Genre

:

Opera

 

Nicolai Gedda was a Swedish tenor who was widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century. He was born on July 11, 1925, in Stockholm, Sweden, to a Russian mother and a Swedish father. His birth name was Harry Gustaf Nikolai Gädda, but he later changed it to Nicolai Gedda. Gedda grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. He studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in Stockholm and made his operatic debut in 1952 at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, singing the role of Chapelou in Adam's Le postillon de Lonjumeau. Gedda quickly gained a reputation as a versatile and talented singer, with a clear and powerful voice that was capable of handling a wide range of repertoire. He became known for his ability to sing in multiple languages, including French, German, Italian, and Russian. One of Gedda's most notable performances was in the role of Lensky in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, which he first performed in 1955 at the Royal Opera House in London. He went on to perform the role in many other productions throughout his career, including at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Paris Opera. Gedda also had a successful career as a concert singer, performing in recitals and with orchestras around the world. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the songs of Schubert, Schumann, and Brahms. Throughout his career, Gedda received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1965, he was awarded the Légion d'honneur by the French government, and in 1977, he was made a Knight of the Royal Order of the Polar Star by the Swedish government. He was also awarded the Herbert von Karajan Music Prize in 1985. Gedda continued to perform well into his later years, and his final performance was in 2003, at the age of 78. He passed away on January 8, 2017, at the age of 91. In addition to his impressive vocal abilities, Gedda was also known for his dedication to his craft and his professionalism. He was widely respected by his colleagues and fans alike, and his legacy as one of the greatest tenors of the 20th century continues to live on today.

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