Ameling, Elly (1938—)

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Ameling, Elly (1938—)

Dutch soprano, winner of the Hertogenbosch and Geneva competitions as well as the Edison Prize. Born Elisabeth Sara in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on February 8, 1938.

Elly Ameling garnered many prizes in her singing career. In 1956, she won the Hertogebosch Prize; in 1957, the Geneva Prize; and, in 1965, and again in 1970, the Edison Prize. Ameling studied with Pierre Bernac before debuting in London in 1966 and in New York in 1968. After a brief foray into opera, she decided to focus on the concert stage. Ameling was particularly known for her French songs as well as for her Schubert lieder. Her fresh, pure voice was especially suited to Mozart and Handel. However, she also performed works of more modern composers like Satie, Mahler, Ravel, Stravinsky, and Britten. In 1971, Ameling was made a Knight of the Order of Oranje Nassau for her contributions to music.

John Haag , Athens, Georgia