Lucia Popp was a celebrated Slovak operatic soprano, known for her pure and youthful voice, as well as her engaging stage presence. Born on November 12, 1939, in Uhorská Ves, Slovakia, Popp originally trained as an actress before devoting her career to music. Her professional debut as a singer came in 1963, when she performed as Queen of the Night in Mozart's "The Magic Flute" at the Vienna State Opera—a role that would become one of her signatures.

Popp's repertoire was vast and varied, encompassing the works of Mozart, Strauss, Beethoven, and more. She was not limited to operatic and classical lieder performances but also recorded traditional songs, as indicated by her album "Die schönsten deutschen Kinder- und Wiegenlieder." Over her career, she recorded a number of complete operas, and her performances remain a gold standard for the interpretation of Mozart's operas, among others. Her notable recordings, which showcased the evolution of her voice from a coloratura soprano to a lyrical one, include "Mozart: Così fan tutte, K. 588 (Remastered)," "J. Strauss II: Die Fledermaus," and "R. Strauss: Capriccio, Op. 85, TrV 279 (Excerpts) [Live]."

Tragically, Lucia Popp's life was cut short; she passed away on November 16, 1993, at the age of 54. Despite her early passing, Popp's recordings continue to be cherished by music lovers, and her legacy endures as one of the 20th century's most beloved operatic talents. Her work remains a high bar for aspiring sopranos and a sublime example of vocal artistry.

Genres

Classical Soprano

Opera

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Latest Release

Wiener Operettenarien

Lucia Popp•

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields•

Sir Neville Marriner•

Franz Lehár•

Franz von Suppé•

Johann Strauss II

Album - 16 Tracks - Released May 3, 2024