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Elizabeth ConnellEnglish opera singer (soprano).
Date of Birth: 22.10.1946
Country:  Great Britain |
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Biography of Elizabeth Connell
Elizabeth Connell was an English operatic soprano. She was born into a musical family in South Africa. After completing her studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, she moved to London in 1970. There, she furthered her education at the London Opera Centre.
Early Career
In 1972, Connell made her debut as a mezzo-soprano at the Wexford Opera Festival in Ireland, performing the role of Varvara in Janáček's opera "Katya Kabanova." She then sang the role of Princess Marya Bolkonskaya in Prokofiev's "War and Peace" at the Sydney Opera House in 1973.
International Success
Connell's international career took off in 1976 when she first performed at Covent Garden as Viklinda in Verdi's "I Lombardi." In 1980, she made her debut at the Bayreuth Festival, portraying Ortrud in Wagner's "Lohengrin." From 1983 onwards, she began performing as a soprano.
Throughout her career, Connell graced the stages of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the United States, and Latin America. She collaborated with renowned conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Pierre Boulez, Carlo Maria Giulini, Riccardo Muti, Giuseppe Sinopoli, and many others.
Final Performances and Legacy
Connell made her final appearances in February 2011, starring in Puccini's "Turandot" in Prague and participating in the opera gala festival in Bad Urach later that year, where she performed in Nicolai's "The Merry Wives of Windsor," Verdi's "Otello," and "Macbeth."
Tragically, Elizabeth Connell passed away from lung cancer. She was most well-known for her portrayals of Wagner and Richard Strauss' heroines. Additionally, she interpreted and recorded vocal compositions by composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Mahler, Schoenberg, Britten, among others.
