Background
SCHWARZKOPF, Elisabeth was born on December 9, 1915 in Jarotschin. Daughter of Friedrich and Elisabeth (née Frohlich) Schwarzkopf.
SCHWARZKOPF, Elisabeth was born on December 9, 1915 in Jarotschin. Daughter of Friedrich and Elisabeth (née Frohlich) Schwarzkopf.
Student, Berlin Hochschule für Musik, 1934. Private studies with Maria Ivogün. Doctor of Music (honorary), Cambridge University.
Debut in Parsifal 1938. Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos 1941. Sang at inauguration of post-war Bayreuth Festival.
Since 1947 principal soprano at Vienna State Opera, La Scala Milan, Covent Garden, San Francisco. Metropolitan Opera, New York 1964-1966. Guest singer, Salzburg Festival 1947-1964.
Created Anne Trulove in Stravinsky’s Rake's Progress. Principle roles include Contessa, Le nozze di Figaro, Marschallin, Rosenkavalier, Fiordiligi, Cosi fan Tutte, Eva, Meistersinger, Donna Elvira, Don Giovanni, Grafin, Capriccio, etc. Producer Der Rosenkavalier, Brussels 1981.
Academy, di Santa Cecilia, Rome, Academy, of Arts and Letters, Stockholm, R.A.M. Ordre pour le Merite, (Federation Republic of Germany) 1983.
Married Walter Legge, 1953 (deceased 1979).