Born November 19, 1944, mezzo-soprano Agnes Baltsa is one of the greatest Greek opera stars of all-time. Originally a bel canto and Mozart specialist, her fiery tone quality and temperament led her to give definitive interpretations of heavier roles such as Princess Eboli and Carmen. A favorite of Herbert von Karajan and a regular at the Metropolitan opera, Baltsa enjoyed a career that spanned five decades. This week, we celebrate her 80th birthday by listening to the highly individualistic artist in some of her signature repertoire.
A Celebration of Agnes Baltsa
Agnes Baltsa at the 1988 gala concert for the reopening of the Prinzregententheater (Photo: Reinhold Möller)
Playlist
All selections feature mezzo-soprano Agnes Baltsa.
Giuseppe Verdi: “O don fatale” from Don Carlo
Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan, conductor
Live performance recorded May 6, 1979
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: “Ah, scostati!” from Così fan tutte
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Colin Davis, conductor
Live performance recorded January 27, 1981
Mozart: “Smanie implacabili” from Così fan tutte
Vienna Philharmonic
Riccardo Muti, conductor
Live performance recorded August 1982
Mozart: “Parto, parto” from La clemenza di Tito
Josef Nissl, clarinet
Munich Radio Orchestra
Heinz Wallberg, conductor
Gioachino Rossini: “Cruda sorte!” from L’italiana in Algeri
Vienna State Opera Chorus
Vienna Philharmonic
Claudio Abbado, conductor
Richard Strauss: “Sein wir wieder gut” from Ariadne auf Naxos
Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Karl Böhm, conductor
Live performance recorded November 20, 1976
Camille Saint Saëns:””Amour! viens aider ma faiblesse” from Samson et Dalila
Bavarian Radio Orchestra
Colin Davis, conductor
Georges Bizet: “Près des remparts de Séville” from Carmen
José Carreras, tenor
Berlin Philharmonic
Herbert von Karajan, conductor
Pietro Mascagni: “Voi lo sapete” from Cavalleria rusticana
Munich Radio Orchestra
Heinz Wallberg, conductor
Verdi: Agnus Dei from Messa da Requiem
Jessye Norman, soprano
Bavarian Radio Chorus and Orchestra
Riccardo Muti, conductor
Live performance recorded October 1981
Verdi: Ohimè! Morir mi sento from Aida
Vienna Philharmonic
Herbert von Karajan, conductor
Verdi: “O don fatale” from Don Carlo
Berlin Philharmonic
Herbert von Karajan, conductor
