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Three Great Wagnerian Sopranos: Frida Leider, Kirsten Flagstad and Birgit Nilsson by Professor Colin Mackerras

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Date/Time
Saturday 21 Nov 2020
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Location
Queensland Multicultural Centre


Frida Leider (1888-1975), Kirsten Flagstad (1895-1962), and Birgit Nilsson (1918-2005) were great Wagnerian sopranos from three periods of history. They were among the greatest, perhaps the greatest interpreters of the major Wagnerian dramatic soprano roles, of which Brünnhilde in The Ring of the Nibelung and Isolde in Tristan and Isolde are the main examples.

The talk will cover the main features and a very brief history of the category of dramatic soprano. It will explain the role these three great singers fulfilled in the history and art of Wagner’s opera. It will compare the three according to criteria such as beauty and power of voice, radiance and vocal technique, emotional expressiveness and stamina. The comments will be illustrated by audio and video extracts, the great majority from Wagner’s operas.

In the present circumstances, audience numbers will be strictly limited and registration is required in advance. If you are a member of the Society and wish to attend, please make your payment of $15 as soon as possible to: Wagner Society in Queensland, BSB: 124 021  Account Number: 2261 2919. Please identify your deposit with your name and the month, for example SMITHNOVEMBER. And please let the Secretary know at catersfield@hotmail.com, so that your name can be placed on the list. Attendance will be on a first-come-first-served basis, with preference initially given to WSQ Members. The entrance charge for guests, once approved, is $20.