Birgit Nilsson and the Royal Swedish Opera have flourished in tandem. Following her debut in 1946 and her success as Agathe in Weber’s “Der Freischütz” and Lady Macbeth in Verdi’s “Macbeth,” the world became her stage.
At the same time, she regularly returned to sing in Stockholm. The Royal Swedish Opera saw her perform no less than 35 roles, of which many of the first time. Her last appearance there was as Brünnhilde in Wagner’s “Die Walküre” in 1981.
International Phenomenon
Birgit Nilsson was indisputably the outstanding dramatic soprano of the second half of the 20th century. Her top notes had an unequalled power and brilliance. Her personality commanded the stage. At the height of her fame, she was paid more than any other opera singer, and she was worth it.Yet, at heart, she remained a simple farmer’s daughter, who loved animals and living close to the earth of her native Skåne in southern Sweden. She was famously matter-of-fact with a down-to-earth sense of humor. Asked for the secret of singing Isolde, her most famous role, she replied: “A comfortable pair of shoes.”
But she also shone as Mozart’s Donna Anna and Beethoven’s Fidelio, as well as the great dramatic roles of the Italian repertory such as Lady Macbeth, Aida, Tosca, and Turandot.
Nilsson described Turandot as her “money role”. It is short, and its high-lying declamation held no terrors for her. At the end of Act 2, against the full might of an enlarged chorus and orchestra, her voice rode effortlessly over the whole ensemble to devastating effect.
Despite her international career, Nilsson remained loyal to the Royal Swedish Opera, which provided her first opportunities and where she sang 35 different roles between her debut in 1946 and her retirement in 1984.
Program:
Richard WagnerCarl Maria von Weber
Richard Wagner
Giacomo Puccini
Giacomo Puccini
Giuseppe Verdi
Richard Wagner
