Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

January 9, 1956 in Würzburg, Germany

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Waltraud Meier is a renowned German mezzo-soprano who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on January 9, 1956, in Würzburg, Germany, Meier grew up in a musical family. Her father was a conductor, and her mother was a singer. Meier started singing at a young age and received her first vocal training from her mother. Meier's talent was evident from an early age, and she went on to study at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich. She made her professional debut in 1976 at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, where she performed the role of Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana. Her performance was well-received, and it marked the beginning of a successful career in opera. Meier's breakthrough came in 1983 when she performed the role of Kundry in Richard Wagner's Parsifal at the Bayreuth Festival. Her performance was widely praised, and it established her as one of the leading mezzo-sopranos of her generation. Meier went on to perform at some of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera. Meier's repertoire is extensive, and she has performed a wide range of roles, including Carmen in Bizet's Carmen, Amneris in Verdi's Aida, and Ortrud in Wagner's Lohengrin. She is particularly renowned for her interpretations of Wagner's heroines, and she has performed the roles of Isolde in Tristan und Isolde, Brünnhilde in Die Walküre, and Kundry in Parsifal. Meier's performances are characterized by her powerful voice, dramatic intensity, and emotional depth. She has a unique ability to convey the emotional complexity of the characters she portrays, and her performances are often described as mesmerizing. Meier has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. In 1990, she was awarded the title of Kammersängerin by the Bavarian State Opera, and in 1993, she was awarded the title of Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government. She has also been awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Bavarian Order of Merit. Meier has also made a significant contribution to the world of classical music through her recordings. She has recorded numerous operas and lieder, and her recordings have received critical acclaim. Her recording of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde with conductor Daniel Barenboim is considered one of the definitive recordings of the opera. In addition to her work as a performer, Meier is also a respected teacher. She has taught masterclasses at the Salzburg Festival and the Munich Hochschule für Musik und Theater, and she has served as a mentor to many young singers. Meier continues to perform and record, and she remains one of the most respected and admired mezzo-sopranos of her generation. Her contributions to the world of classical music have been significant, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of musicians.

More....