Behrens, Hildegard (1937–)

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Behrens, Hildegard (1937–)

German soprano. Born in Oldenburg, Germany, Feb 9, 1937; law degree from University of Freiburg; studied voice with Ines Leuwen at Freiburg Music Academy.

Debuted in Freiburg as the Countess in Le nozze di Figaro (1971); appeared at Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf; performed several roles in Berg's Wozzeck; debuted at Covent Garden and Metropolitan Opera (1976); known as a Wagnerian soprano, appeared as Salome in Salzburg (1977) and sang Brünnhilde at Bayreuth (1983); also appeared in such non-Wagnerian roles as Elektra in Mozart's Idomeneo, Elena in Janácek's The Makropoulous Case, and the Empress in Richard Strauss' Die Frau ohne Schatten.

See also Women in World History.