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{{Short description|Slovak lyric soprano}}
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Beňačková specializes in the music of her Slovak compatriots, particularly [[Eugen Suchoň]], as well as [[Czechs|Czech]] composers, notably [[Bedřich Smetana]], [[Antonín Dvořák]] and [[Leoš Janáček]]. She is considered to be one of the greatest 'Jenůfa's' in [[Jenůfa|Janáček's opera]] of the same name. Her [[Carnegie Hall]] performance, and subsequent [[Metropolitan Opera]] run with [[Leonie Rysanek]], are considered to be legendary.
Beňačková specializes in the music of her Slovak compatriots, particularly [[Eugen Suchoň]], as well as [[Czechs|Czech]] composers, notably [[Bedřich Smetana]], [[Antonín Dvořák]] and [[Leoš Janáček]]. She is considered to be one of the greatest 'Jenůfa's' in [[Jenůfa|Janáček's opera]] of the same name. Her [[Carnegie Hall]] performance, and subsequent [[Metropolitan Opera]] run with [[Leonie Rysanek]], are considered to be legendary.


In 1981, [[Czechoslovakia]]n television starred Ms Beňačková in a definitive version of ''[[Prodaná nevěsta]]'' (The Bartered Bride) by Bedřich Smetana, which has since become a popular DVD recording available in an all-regions format (2006). That recording teamed her with the heroic [[tenor]] (fellow [[Slovaks|Slovak]]) [[Peter Dvorský]] as Jeník, and with bass [[Richard Novák]] as Kecal, and other popular singers. She completed her farewell recital tour in 2008.
In 1981, [[Czechoslovakia]]n television starred Ms Beňačková in a definitive version of ''[[Prodaná nevěsta]]'' (The Bartered Bride) by Bedřich Smetana, which has since become a popular DVD recording available in an all-regions format (2006). That recording teamed her with the [[tenor]] (fellow [[Slovaks|Slovak]]) [[Peter Dvorský]] as Jeník, and with bass [[Richard Novák]] as Kecal, and other popular singers. She completed her farewell recital tour in 2008.


She has made a number of recordings (including a beautiful recording in the title role of ''[[Rusalka (opera)|Rusalka]]'' by Dvořák, conducted by [[Václav Neumann]]<ref>{{cite web| first=David| last=Hurwitz| authorlink=David Hurwitz (music critic)| url=http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=6699| title=Review of Rusalka recording| website=ClassicsToday| date=19 July 2003| accessdate=21 January 2010}}</ref>), and has appeared in several filmed operas on DVD, as well as the feature film ''[[The Divine Emma]]'', where she supplied the singing voice of the famous Czech soprano [[Emmy Destinn]]. Her voice can also be heard in the movie ''[[Driving Miss Daisy]]'' singing title role in ''[[Rusalka (opera)|Rusalka]]'' by Antonín Dvořák, and in ''[[Copycat (film)|Copycat]]'' singing Puccini's aria ''[[Vissi d'arte]]'' from the opera ''[[Tosca]]'' by [[Giacomo Puccini]].
She has made a number of recordings (including a beautiful recording in the title role of ''[[Rusalka (opera)|Rusalka]]'' by Dvořák, conducted by [[Václav Neumann]]<ref>{{cite web| first=David| last=Hurwitz| authorlink=David Hurwitz (music critic)| url=http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=6699| title=Review of Rusalka recording| website=ClassicsToday| date=19 July 2003| accessdate=21 January 2010}}</ref>), and has appeared in several filmed operas on DVD, as well as the feature film ''[[The Divine Emma]]'', where she supplied the singing voice of the famous Czech soprano [[Emmy Destinn]]. Her voice can also be heard in the movie ''[[Driving Miss Daisy]]'' singing title role in ''[[Rusalka (opera)|Rusalka]]'' by Antonín Dvořák, and in ''[[Copycat (1995 film)|Copycat]]'' singing Puccini's aria ''[[Vissi d'arte]]'' from the opera ''[[Tosca]]'' by [[Giacomo Puccini]].


She appeared as Marguerite in the [[Vienna State Opera]]'s production of [[Charles Gounod]]'s ''[[Faust (opera)|Faust]]'' (1985), as well as Fidelio/Leonore in the [[Royal Opera House]] production of ''[[Fidelio]]'' by [[Ludwig van Beethoven]] (1991). Between 1991 and 1999 she had 39&nbsp;appearances in [[New York City|New York]]'s Metropolitan Opera, the last one as Desdemona in ''[[Otello]]'' by [[Giuseppe Verdi]] together with [[Plácido Domingo]]. In 2012, she sang the difficult role of the Comtesse de la Roche, in ''[[Die Soldaten]]'', at the [[Salzburg Festival]], a&nbsp;production now on DVD.
She appeared as Marguerite in the [[Vienna State Opera]]'s production of [[Charles Gounod]]'s ''[[Faust (opera)|Faust]]'' (1985), as well as Fidelio/Leonore in the [[Royal Opera House]] production of ''[[Fidelio]]'' by [[Ludwig van Beethoven]] (1991). Between 1991 and 1999 she had 39&nbsp;appearances in [[New York City|New York]]'s Metropolitan Opera, the last one as Desdemona in ''[[Otello]]'' by [[Giuseppe Verdi]] together with [[Plácido Domingo]]. In 2012, she sang the difficult role of the Comtesse de la Roche, in ''[[Die Soldaten]]'', at the [[Salzburg Festival]], a&nbsp;production now on DVD.
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Bratislava]]
[[Category:Musicians from Bratislava]]
[[Category:Czech people of Slovak descent]]
[[Category:Slovak operatic sopranos]]
[[Category:Slovak operatic sopranos]]
[[Category:Czech operatic sopranos]]
[[Category:Recipients of Medal of Merit (Czech Republic)]]
[[Category:Recipients of Medal of Merit (Czech Republic)]]
[[Category:20th-century Slovak women opera singers]]
[[Category:20th-century Slovak women opera singers]]
[[Category:20th-century Czech women opera singers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Thalia Award]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Thalia Award]]

Latest revision as of 13:50, 17 December 2023

Gabriela Beňačková
Gabriela Beňačková at the Met gala, 1996
Born (1947-03-25) 25 March 1947 (age 77)
Bratislava, Czechoslovakia
NationalitySlovak
OccupationOperatic soprano
Years active1970–present

Gabriela Beňačková also Gabriela Beňačková-Čápová (born 25 March 1947) is a Slovak lyric soprano.

Life and career[edit]

Beňačková was born in Bratislava. Her father Antonín was a lawyer, and her mother Elena was a housewife.[1] She is the younger sister of television presenter Nora Beňačková.[2] In her young age she had been involved in ballet lessons, children's choir of Czechoslovakian Radio, and learned singing and piano at school.[1]

Beňačková specializes in the music of her Slovak compatriots, particularly Eugen Suchoň, as well as Czech composers, notably Bedřich Smetana, Antonín Dvořák and Leoš Janáček. She is considered to be one of the greatest 'Jenůfa's' in Janáček's opera of the same name. Her Carnegie Hall performance, and subsequent Metropolitan Opera run with Leonie Rysanek, are considered to be legendary.

In 1981, Czechoslovakian television starred Ms Beňačková in a definitive version of Prodaná nevěsta (The Bartered Bride) by Bedřich Smetana, which has since become a popular DVD recording available in an all-regions format (2006). That recording teamed her with the tenor (fellow Slovak) Peter Dvorský as Jeník, and with bass Richard Novák as Kecal, and other popular singers. She completed her farewell recital tour in 2008.

She has made a number of recordings (including a beautiful recording in the title role of Rusalka by Dvořák, conducted by Václav Neumann[3]), and has appeared in several filmed operas on DVD, as well as the feature film The Divine Emma, where she supplied the singing voice of the famous Czech soprano Emmy Destinn. Her voice can also be heard in the movie Driving Miss Daisy singing title role in Rusalka by Antonín Dvořák, and in Copycat singing Puccini's aria Vissi d'arte from the opera Tosca by Giacomo Puccini.

She appeared as Marguerite in the Vienna State Opera's production of Charles Gounod's Faust (1985), as well as Fidelio/Leonore in the Royal Opera House production of Fidelio by Ludwig van Beethoven (1991). Between 1991 and 1999 she had 39 appearances in New York's Metropolitan Opera, the last one as Desdemona in Otello by Giuseppe Verdi together with Plácido Domingo. In 2012, she sang the difficult role of the Comtesse de la Roche, in Die Soldaten, at the Salzburg Festival, a production now on DVD.

Recordings[edit]

Videography[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Gabriela Beňačková". Česká televize (in Czech). Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  2. ^ Laucká, Barbora (2001-10-31). "Na návšteve: Gabriela a Nora Beňačková". SME (in Slovak). Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  3. ^ Hurwitz, David (19 July 2003). "Review of Rusalka recording". ClassicsToday. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  4. ^ Levine, Robert (18 February 2003). "Review of The Bartered Bride recording". ClassicsToday. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  5. ^ Forsling, Göran. "Review (no sung texts or translations)". MusicWeb International.

External links[edit]