Brigitte Fassbaender, born on July 3, 1939, in Berlin, is a German mezzo-soprano opera singer and stage director renowned for her rich timbre, emotional depth, and compelling stage presence. Honed under the tutelage of her father, the baritone Wilhelm Fassbaender, Brigitte's talent blossomed early, leading her to make her professional debut at the Bavarian State Opera in 1961. Over the span of her illustrious singing career, she became an indisputable authority on the works of Richard Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, while also excelling in the music of composers like Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann, as evidenced by her later recordings such as "Schumann: Liederkreis, Op. 39" and "Brahms: Die schöne Magelone, Op. 33."

Beyond her mastery of German Romantic Lieder, Fassbaender's versatility shone through in her interpretations of French and Italian opera roles, with a vast repertoire that included works by Verdi and Massenet. Retiring from singing in 1995, she seamlessly transitioned to a noted directorial career, working with top opera houses, and continued to contribute to music as an esteemed recital accompanist and coach. Her legacy in the recording industry is immortalized through extensive discography and anthologies such as "The Brigitte Fassbaender Edition," which showcases the breadth and depth of her artistry, from intimate song cycles to grand operatic performances.

Genres

Classical Mezzo-soprano

Opera

Latest Release

Schumann: Liederkreis, Op. 39

Robert Schumann•

Brigitte Fassbaender•

Elisabeth Leonskaja

Album - 12 Tracks - Released August 21, 2023