Brouwenstijn, Gré (1915—)
Brouwenstijn, Gré (1915—)
Dutch soprano. Name variations: Gre Brouwenstijn. Born Gerada Damphina on August 26, 1915, in Den Helder, the Netherlands; studied with Japp Stroomenbergh, Boris Pelsky, and Ruth Horna in Amsterdam.
Debuted in Amsterdam (1940); joined the Netherlands Opera (1946); made Covent Garden debut (1951), singing roles there until 1964; made Chicago debut (1959) and Glyndebourne (1959); retired (1971).
Gré Brouwenstijn was known as much for her marvelous physical presence as for her voice. She was often called a "great singing actress" in a field that demands both excellent singing and acting. Unfortunately, recordings that documented her career do not do justice to her greatness. Her remarkable interpretation of operatic roles featured an expressive face that was responsive to every nuance of character, and she was known for investing the grandest, most regal heroines with a basic humanity, a feat many singers have never duplicated.