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Lisa della CasaSwiss singer (soprano). An outstanding performer of roles in operas by Mozart and Richard Strauss.
Date of Birth: 02.02.1919
Country:  Switzerland |
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Biography of Lisa della Casa
Lisa della Casa (born on February 2, 1919, in Burgdorf) was a Swiss soprano singer and an exceptional performer in the operas of Mozart and Richard Strauss. Due to her beautiful voice, impeccable technique, elegance, and sense of style, Lisa della Casa became one of the most significant singers of the post-war era.
Early Life and Career
Lisa della Casa studied in Zurich and made her debut in 1941 in the role of Cio-Cio-San in Giacomo Puccini's "Madama Butterfly." From 1943 to 1950, she was a member of the ensemble at the Zurich Theater. Della Casa was friends with renowned singer Maria Cebotari, who helped advance her career. After Cebotari's early death, della Casa performed her signature roles at the Vienna State Opera. She also appeared at the Vienna and Munich Operas and participated in the Salzburg Festival (from 1947) and the Glyndebourne Festival (from 1951). In 1947, she performed at the Salzburg Festival in the role of Zdenka, recommended by Austrian soprano Maria Reining. After attending one of her performances, Richard Strauss predicted, "This girl will someday become Arabella!" In 1952, she portrayed the role of Eva in "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" at the Bayreuth Festival.
Metropolitan Opera and Later Years
From 1953 to 1968, Lisa della Casa performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. In 1974, she unexpectedly ended her career. Della Casa's repertoire included roles such as Donna Elvira and Donna Anna in "Don Giovanni," the Countess in "The Marriage of Figaro," Pamina in "The Magic Flute," and Fidelio in "Fidelio." Her signature role was Arabella in Richard Strauss' opera of the same name, considered by many as her unmatched performance. Additionally, della Casa was one of the few singers who portrayed all three main female roles in "Der Rosenkavalier." She also excelled in other Strauss roles, including Ariadne in "Ariadne auf Naxos," Zdenka in "Arabella," Chrysothemis in "Elektra," and the Countess in "Capriccio." In Munich, she even took on the challenging role of Salome, showcasing her versatility as a dramatic singer. Della Casa was also successful as a song interpreter, especially in Richard Strauss' songs. She collaborated with many outstanding conductors, including Karl Böhm, George Szell, and other renowned singers of her time.
