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Deborah VoigtAmerican opera singer (soprano)
Date of Birth: 04.08.1960
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Deborah Voigt
Deborah Voigt is an American opera singer, known for her soprano voice. She regularly performs in opera houses and concert halls around the world.
Early Life
Deborah Voigt was born in a highly religious Southern Baptist family in Wheeling, Illinois, near Chicago. At the age of 5, she joined a Baptist choir and began learning to play the piano. Her experience performing in church sparked her interest in music. When she was 14, Voigt and her family moved to Placentia, California, which she considered a catastrophe. She continued to study music in a California school and even began performing in local theater productions and musicals. Initially, Voigt did not take opera seriously and was unaware of the existence of the Metropolitan Opera.
Education and Training
In 1978, Voigt graduated from school and enrolled at Chapman College, where she studied choral singing. However, she took a break from music and worked as a personal computer operator for two years. She later won a scholarship to Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, and was able to pursue vocal courses at California State University in Fullerton. It was there that Voigt met Professor Jane Paul Hummel, who would become her mentor for eight years.
Professional Career
In 1985, Voigt reached the finals of the National Council Auditions for Young Singers sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera. Three years later, she made her debut at Carnegie Hall. Voigt was then awarded an Adler Fellowship, which allowed her to train in a special program in San Francisco. Under the guidance of Leontyne Price, one of America's best sopranos, Voigt studied seven major roles and underwent specialized courses. She slowly but steadily gained recognition in the opera world, and after winning several major prizes in music competitions, she began singing professionally.
Notable Performances
Voigt's breakthrough role was as Ariadne in Richard Strauss' "Ariadne auf Naxos." In October 1991, she performed as Amelia in Giuseppe Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera" at the Metropolitan Opera. In 2004, Voigt was controversially dismissed from her role as Ariadne at the Royal Opera House because she couldn't fit into a cocktail dress chosen by the director. She was replaced by Anne Schwanewilms. The incident received extensive criticism, and Covent Garden's management faced backlash. However, this incident ultimately had a positive impact on Voigt's career. She tried various diets but ultimately decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery, which proved successful in helping her lose weight. She soon returned to the Royal Opera and since then has actively performed in Covent Garden and other major European opera houses. In 2006, she made her debut at the Vienna State Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Throughout her career, one of Voigt's most successful roles has been Ariadne.
