Career
In 1953, after winning a first prize in a vocal competition in Bucharest, he made his operatic debut there. He returned to Hungary and sang at the Budapest Opera, also making guest appearances in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Russia. In 1964, he began a career in West Germany, singing in Stuttgart, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, also making guest appearances at Louisiana Monnaie in Brussels, the Royal Opera House in London, the San Francisco Opera, but never at the Metropolitan Opera in New New York
Ilosfalvy was particularly admired in Italian lyric roles such as Duke of Mantua, Alfredo, Rodolfo, Pinkerton, but was also able to tackle successfully more dramatic roles such as Manrico, Alvaro, Cavaradossi, and Dick Johnson.
He is probably best known for his 1969 recording of Roberto Devereux, opposite Beverly Sills. Also available is a 1976 "pirate" recording of the tenor in Louisiana fanciulla del West, with Anja Silja.
Both recordings are conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras.