Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Birgit Nilsson (1918-2005)
Rest in peace, Birgit! The sturdy woman you see with the winged helmet is in many ways responsible for my career in opera. Back in 1980, when I was still in middle school, I had a strong background and interest in classical music, but didn't know thing one about opera. In fact, I had no interest whatsoever. For some reason, just by sheer chance, I happened to catch the Met telecast of "Elektra" that February. And I was absolutely hooked. It was strange, at first. The curtain rose on five women in bizarre costumes singing about murder and the music was wild and restless. Then Birgit (as Elektra) made her entrance and proceeded to sing the shit out of the score: tremendous acting, a voice like a laser beam, with high notes that shot out like a cannon, each one as solid and secure as an iceberg and as pure as a mountain stream. Ninety minutes later, Elektra dances an insane dance of triumph during her final monologue, then drops dead...exhausted from realizing her revenge, she has no reason to live any more.... And I was absolutely exhilarated. THIS wasn't at all what I thought opera was like. This wasn't pretty, stodgy, or prissy. This was riveting, elemental, primitive. The Met audience went crazy at the end. And I wanted more. I sought out her recordings--the "Ring" cycle, "Turandot"--and from there my profound interest in opera expanded greatly.
And well, here I am, 25 years later, having worked in the business since 1989. Thanks, Birgit. It's been fun.
Opera News obituary
Sound bite: Hojotoho from "Die Walkure"
Sound bite: Liebestod from "Tristan und Isolde"
