THE SONGBIRD: Ingeborg Hallstein was born in Munich in 1936 and was taught singing by her mother. Her debut role was Musetta in 1957 and she quickly booked coloratura roles in major opera houses and festivals, such as Salzburg in 1960 (several operas and concerts over six seasons), Vienna in 1961, Munich in 1961 (as the leading coloratura until 1973), and Covent Garden in 1962. She made dozens of recordings in the studio, television, and radio of opera, lieder, concert waltzes, light music, operetta, musical theater, and even an album of songs for children.
This is taken from a concert performance in Amsterdam in 1970 that is in my collection. Extended excerpts from this performance are available on another RU-vid channel.
THE MUSIC: Mozart's opera seria "Idomeneo" premiered in Munich in January 1781 with a libretto adapted by Giambattista Varesco from a French play. It only a had a few performances in Mozart's lifetime, but has been staged regularly in the modern era. The opera has two soprano roles -- Ilia and Elettra -- which were sung by sisters-in-law Dorothea Wendling and Elisabeth Wendling at the premiere.
2 авг 2021