Gorr, Rita (1926–)

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Gorr, Rita (1926–)

Belgian mezzo-soprano. Born Marguerite Geirnaert, Feb 18, 1926, in Zelzaete, Belgium.

Equally comfortable as a contralto and mezzo-soprano, sang in Strasbourg Opera (1949–52); made debut at Paris Opéra and Opéra-Comique (1952); debuted at Bayreuth (1958), Covent Garden in Aïda (1959); debuted at Teatro alla Scala as Kundry in Parsifal (1960), and Metropolitan Opera (1962); made several recordings, including as Amneris in Verdi's Aïdawith Georg Solti, which may be the finest performance of the part on record.

See also Women in World History.