Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

Dame Olga Maria Elisabeth Friederike Schwarzkopf, DBE was a German-born Austro-British soprano who died on August 3, 2006. She was a leading lieder singer and is well-known for her interpretations of Viennese operetta as well as Mozart, Wagner, and Richard Strauss operas. She worked as a vocal coach all around the world when she retired from the theatre. She is regarded as one of the greatest sopranos of the twentieth century.

Schwarzkopf was given Austrian citizenship in 1945, allowing her to perform at the Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper). In 1947 and 1948, Schwarzkopf toured with the Vienna State Opera, performing as Donna Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni at London's Royal Opera House at Covent Garden on September 16, 1947, and as the Countess in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro at La Scala on December 28, 1948, which became one of her signature roles.

Schwarzkopf's final operatic performance was as the Marschallin on December 31, 1971, at the La Monnaie theatre in Brussels. She committed herself solely to lieder performances for the following many years. Walter Legge died of a heart attack on March 17, 1979. He defied doctor's recommendations to rest and attended Schwarzkopf's farewell concert in Zurich two days later. He died three days later.

Awards:

• Grammy Hall of Fame (2008)