Miliza Korjus

Miliza Korjus was a vibrant Estonian-born coloratura soprano who lit up opera stages and even Hollywood in the early 20th century. Born in Warsaw in 1909 to Estonian parents, she grew up in Kyiv, where her musical talents blossomed. Known for her sparkling high notes and agile voice, she became a star in European opera houses during the 1930s, enchanting audiences with roles in works by Mozart, Verdi, and Donizetti. Her career took a glamorous turn when she landed her only film role as opera diva Carla Donner in MGM’s *The Great Waltz* (1938), which earned her an Academy Award nomination—a rare feat for a classical singer!

Though her performing career slowed after WWII, Korjus’s legacy lives on through historical recordings like the *Lebendige Vergangenheit* series, which showcase her crystalline tone and playful flair in arias by Gounod, Delibes, and Meyerbeer. After moving to the U.S., she taught voice until her death in 1980. For classical fans, her recordings remain a glittering time capsule of golden-age operatic style. Fun fact: Legend has it she turned down a Hollywood contract to focus on raising her daughter—talk about hitting those high notes in life *and* art!

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