Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

Genre

:

Choral

 

Agnes Giebel was a renowned German soprano who was born on February 10, 1921, in Eberswalde, Germany. She was the daughter of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a choir director and her mother was a pianist. Giebel showed an early interest in music and began singing in her father's choir at the age of six. Giebel received her formal music education at the Berlin University of the Arts, where she studied under the tutelage of the famous German soprano, Erna Berger. She made her professional debut in 1943 at the Berlin State Opera, where she performed the role of the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Her performance was well-received, and she quickly gained a reputation as a talented soprano. In 1946, Giebel joined the Berlin State Opera as a permanent member of the company. She remained with the company for ten years, during which time she performed in a wide range of operas, including Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," Verdi's "La Traviata," and Puccini's "Madama Butterfly." She also performed in several operettas, including Johann Strauss II's "Die Fledermaus" and Franz Lehár's "The Merry Widow." Giebel's career took off in the 1950s when she began performing as a soloist with various orchestras and conductors. She made her debut with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1951, where she performed Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" under the baton of Wilhelm Furtwängler. She also performed with the Vienna Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. One of Giebel's most notable performances was her portrayal of the role of Zerbinetta in Richard Strauss's "Ariadne auf Naxos." She performed the role at the Salzburg Festival in 1954, under the direction of Herbert von Karajan. Her performance was widely praised, and she became known for her interpretation of the role. Giebel was also known for her performances of Bach's cantatas and oratorios. She recorded several of Bach's works, including the "St. Matthew Passion," the "St. John Passion," and the "Mass in B Minor." Her recordings of Bach's music are still considered some of the best interpretations of his works. In addition to her performances on stage, Giebel was also a prolific recording artist. She recorded over 200 works, including operas, oratorios, and lieder. Her recordings of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" and "The Marriage of Figaro" are still considered some of the best recordings of those works. Giebel received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1955, she was awarded the title of Kammersängerin by the Berlin State Opera. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of Berlin in 1961 and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1971. In 1981, she was awarded the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize for her contributions to classical music. Giebel retired from performing in 1979, but she continued to teach voice at the Berlin University of the Arts until 1991. She passed away on April 24, 2017, at the age of 96. In conclusion, Agnes Giebel was a talented soprano who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Her performances on stage and in recordings are still considered some of the best interpretations of the works she performed. Her legacy as a performer and teacher continues to inspire future generations of musicians.

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