Birth

:

April 1, 1913 in Borssovo, Bulgaria

Death

:

September 2, 1996 in Vienna, Austria

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Ljuba Welitsch was a Bulgarian-born opera singer who rose to fame in the mid-20th century. She was born on July 10, 1913, in Borissovo, a small village in Bulgaria. Her father was a schoolteacher, and her mother was a pianist. From a young age, Welitsch showed a talent for music, and her mother began giving her piano lessons when she was just four years old. Welitsch's family moved to Sofia when she was six years old, and she continued her music education there. She studied piano, violin, and voice, and by the time she was a teenager, she was already performing in public concerts. In 1930, she won a scholarship to study at the Vienna Music Academy, where she focused on voice and opera. Welitsch made her professional debut in 1936, singing the role of Rosina in Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" at the Vienna State Opera. She quickly gained a reputation as a rising star, and in 1938, she was invited to sing at the Salzburg Festival, one of the most prestigious music festivals in the world. She performed the role of Zerbinetta in Richard Strauss's "Ariadne auf Naxos," and her performance was a sensation. Strauss himself was in the audience and was so impressed that he wrote a letter to Welitsch, praising her performance and inviting her to sing the role of Salome in his opera of the same name. Welitsch's performance as Salome in 1940 was a turning point in her career. The role was notoriously difficult, requiring a powerful voice and a commanding stage presence, but Welitsch rose to the challenge. Her performance was hailed as a triumph, and she became known as one of the greatest interpreters of the role. She went on to perform the role in many productions around the world, including at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Welitsch's career continued to flourish throughout the 1940s and 1950s. She performed in many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Royal Opera House in London, La Scala in Milan, and the Paris Opera. She was particularly renowned for her performances in the operas of Richard Strauss, including "Der Rosenkavalier," "Elektra," and "Arabella." She also sang the title role in Puccini's "Tosca" and the role of Leonore in Beethoven's "Fidelio." Welitsch was known for her powerful voice, her dramatic intensity, and her ability to inhabit the characters she portrayed on stage. She was also known for her striking beauty, with her dark hair and piercing blue eyes. She was often compared to the actress Marlene Dietrich, and she was a favorite of photographers and fashion designers. Welitsch received many honors and awards throughout her career. In 1951, she was awarded the title of Kammersängerin by the Austrian government, an honor reserved for the most distinguished singers. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 1958, she was awarded the Gold Medal of the City of Vienna, and in 1963, she was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art. Welitsch retired from the stage in 1960, at the age of 47. She had been suffering from health problems for several years, and she decided to focus on teaching and mentoring young singers. She taught at the Vienna Music Academy and the Salzburg Mozarteum, and she continued to give masterclasses and workshops around the world. Welitsch died on September 2, 1996, at the age of 83.

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