Nilsson, (Märta) Birgit

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Nilsson, (Märta) Birgit [ Birgit Svennsson] (b Karup, 1918). Swed. soprano. Opera début Stockholm 1946 (Agathe in Der Freischütz). Sang variety of roles in Stockholm, esp. Wagner, Verdi, Puccini, and Strauss. Glyndebourne 1951. Sang Brünnhilde in Der Ring des Nibelungen, Munich 1955. Bayreuth début 1954 and sang Brünnhilde there in 1960s, being acknowledged as Flagstad's successor as leading Wagnerian sop. Outstanding Turandot at La Scala 1958. CG début 1957; Amer. début (S. Francisco) 1956; NY Met 1959. Retired 1984.

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