Period

:

Classical

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Sylvia Geszty was a Hungarian soprano who was born on May 27, 1934, in Budapest, Hungary. She was the daughter of a Hungarian father and a German mother. Geszty grew up in a musical family, and her parents encouraged her to pursue a career in music. She began her musical training at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where she studied under the renowned soprano, Ilona Steingruber. Geszty made her professional debut in 1956 at the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest, 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 became a rising star in the Hungarian opera scene. In 1958, she won first prize at the International Singing Competition in Geneva, Switzerland, which helped to launch her international career. Geszty's international debut came in 1960, when she performed the role of Zerbinetta in Richard Strauss's "Ariadne auf Naxos" at the Vienna State Opera. Her performance was a huge success, and she quickly became a favorite of audiences and critics alike. She went on to perform at many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and La Scala in Milan. One of Geszty's most famous roles was that of the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." She performed this role many times throughout her career, and her interpretation of the character was widely praised for its dramatic intensity and vocal agility. She also had great success in the operas of Richard Strauss, particularly in the roles of Zerbinetta in "Ariadne auf Naxos" and Sophie in "Der Rosenkavalier." Geszty was known for her powerful and agile voice, as well as her dramatic stage presence. She was particularly admired for her ability to convey emotion through her singing, and her performances were often described as electrifying. She was also known for her impeccable technique, which allowed her to tackle some of the most challenging roles in the operatic repertoire. Throughout her career, Geszty received many awards and honors for her contributions to the world of classical music. In 1970, she was awarded the title of Kammersängerin by the Austrian government, which is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a singer in Austria. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary in 1994, in recognition of her contributions to Hungarian culture. Geszty retired from the stage in 1994, after a career that spanned nearly four decades. She continued to be active in the world of classical music, however, and served as a mentor to many young singers. She also taught master classes at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where she had studied as a young woman. Sylvia Geszty passed away on March 2, 2017, at the age of 82. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest sopranos of her generation, and her contributions to the world of classical music will be remembered for many years to come.

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