Martina Arroyo is one of the great sopranos of the 20th century. Even after her singing career, she has managed to carve out an exemplary career that continues to serve the opera world in major ways. Born on Feb. 2, 1936, Arroyo was born in New York where she would grow up exposed to the vast culture of New York. {…}
Franz Schubert, born on Jan. 31, 1797, is universally hailed for his incredible ability to write for the voice. His song cycles are among the most beloved in the entire repertoire, championed by the world’s greatest singers. But Schubert also composed opera, though to this day, none have managed to establish a foothold in the standard repertoire. Here is a {…}
Daniel Auber, born on Jan. 29, 1782, was one of France’s leading composers in his day. During his time he was a master of the ópera comique and featured prominently throughout his home-country. He had a long-running collaboration with noted librettist Eugène Scribe. In sum, he has over 30 works to his name. And yet, he isn’t part of the {…}
Justino Díaz had a tremendous career that rivals that of some of the other great singers of his era. Born on Jan. 29, 1940, Díaz’s singing career started off at a rather early age when he took classes in school at the age of eight. From there he would head over to the University of Puerto Rico and then the {…}
Joseph Calleja turns 40 years old today. Born on Jan. 22, 1978, the Maltese tenor has risen to the ranks of being one of the greatest singers in the world today. In commemoration of his 40th birthday, here are 40 fun facts about this still burgeoning artist. He was born in Attard, Malta. He was inspired to sing at the {…}
Marilyn Horne is one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of all time. Born on Jan. 16, 1934, the American singer would go on to become best-known for her domination of the bel canto and baroque repertoire. Her interpretations of Rossini are among the most iconic of the 20th century. But Horne’s career can’t just be seen in the light of her {…}
Ben Heppner is undeniably one of the major figures of the 20th century, the tenor dominating all around the world in many of the most challenging dramatic roles of the opera repertoire. Heppner, born on Jan. 14, 1956, the tenor was a major figure at the Metropolitan Opera for many years where he showcased his talent in such works as {…}
Juan Diego Flórez is one of the greatest tenors in the world. Of that there can be no doubt. Born on Jan. 13, the tenor has gone on to establish himself at every major opera house in the world in an ever-evolving repertoire that ranges from Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini all the way to the great French composers such as {…}
James Morris and Sherrill Milnes were both born on Jan. 10, though Milnes is 12 years older than his American colleague. The two shared the stage on several occasions with Milnes taking on leading baritone roles and Morris championing the leading bass parts. Their voices usually aren’t categorized in the same manner, Milnes being a baritone and Morris a bass-baritone. {…}
Italian soprano Herva Nelli, born on Jan. 9, 1909, may not be a major household name the way other sopranos of the early 20th century have become, but she surely had an adventurous and prolific career that kicked off in the United States. Born in Italy, her family moved to the States when she was but 10, eventually studying at {…}
June Anderson, born on December 30, 1952, authored one of the unique opera careers of the 20th century. The lyric soprano seemed destined for the path often taken, but wound up moving in diverse directions with regards to repertoire. This very aspect was revealed in her becoming the first non-Italian to ever win the prestigious Bellini d’Oro Prize. She sang {…}