Angela Gheorghiu | |
|---|---|
 Gheorghiu as Floria Tosca at San Francisco Opera, November 2012 | |
| Born | Angela Burlacu 7 September 1965 |
| Education | National University of Music Bucharest |
| Occupation | Operatic soprano |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | Ioana Dan (adopted) |
| Website | www |
Angela Gheorghiu (Romanian: [anˈdʒela ɡe̯orˈɡi.u] ; née Burlacu; born 7 September 1965) is a Romanian soprano,[1] especially known for her performances in the operas of Puccini and Verdi.
Embarking her career in 1990, she made her Royal Opera House and Vienna State Opera debuts in 1992, followed by New York's Metropolitan Opera debut in 1993. She was catapulted to international stardom after starring as Violetta in Verdi's La traviata at Covent Garden in 1994. Her signature roles include Mimì in La bohème, Magda in La rondine, the title roles in Tosca and Adriana Lecouvreur. She had performed frequently with French tenor Roberto Alagna, whom she first met in 1992 and married in 1996, in concerts and opera productions until their eventual divorce in 2013.
Her voice is described as "...the most instantly recognizable and interesting soprano voice of our time. A liquid instrument of great lyrical beauty with gleaming spun-gold high notes, but a dark, vibrant contralto range, reminiscent of Maria Callas.",[2] and she is considered "the world's most glamorous opera star".[3]
She has made substantial discography primarily with EMI Classics (absorbed into Warner Classics in 2013) and Decca, and holds several Gramophone Awards and honorary doctorates.
- ^ John Warrack and Ewan West, 'Gheorghiu, Angela', The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera, Oxford University Press, 1996; Nicolas Slonimsky and Laura Diane Kuhn, Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, Gale Group, 2001, p. 1264; David M. Cummings, "Gheorghiu, Angela", International Who's Who in Classical Music, Routledge, 2003, p. 274
- ^ "Experience the life and iconic recordings of soprano Angela Gheorghiu". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 February 2021.
- ^ "Angela Gheorghiu: Homage to Maria Callas: Favourite Opera Arias". Prestomusic.com. Retrieved 7 September 2024.