Spoorenberg, Erna

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Spoorenberg, Erna

Spoorenberg, Erna, Dutch soprano; b. Yogyakarta, Java, April 11, 1926. She studied in Hilversum and Amsterdam. She made her debut in an appearance with Radio Hilversum in 1947. In 1958 she became a leading member of the Netherlands Opera in Amsterdam. She made occasional appearances at various European music centers, but principally was associated with the musical life of the Netherlands; made her first appearance at the Vienna State Opera in 1949 and her U.S. debut in N.Y. in 1967. She was especially esteemed for her roles in operas by Mozart and for her portrayal of Mélisande. She also pursued a successful career as a concert singer.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire