Diddú facts for kids

Sigrún Hjálmtýsdóttir (born August 8, 1955), known as Diddú, is a famous Icelandic soprano singer and songwriter. She studied music in Iceland and London. Diddú started her singing career in the 1970s with a popular folk and pop band. Later, she focused on classical music, especially opera.

Her most recent album, Hvert Örstutt Spor (Each Tiny Step), came out in 2005.

Early Life and Learning

Diddú was born in Reykjavík, Iceland, on August 8, 1955. She was the second of seven children. Her father was a bank clerk, and her mother was a writer.

She studied at the Reykjavík College of Music. After that, she went to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England. She earned a degree there in 1984 and a special diploma in 1985. Diddú also took private singing lessons in Italy for a year.

Singing Career

Diddú began her singing journey with the folk and pop group Spilverk Þjóðanna from 1975 to 1978. She recorded many folk and popular songs with them.

Later, she decided to focus on classical music, especially operas and Lieder (German art songs). With the Icelandic Opera, she played many important roles. These include Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Gilda in Rigoletto, and Violetta in La traviata. She also sang as Papagena and the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute. Diddú was a guest singer in Norway and Sweden for some of these roles.

In 1994, Diddú appeared in an Icelandic film called Bíódagar (Movie Days). She played the mother of a young boy who loved American movies in the 1950s.

In 2001, Diddú performed at a special concert in Beijing, China. This concert was held in the Forbidden City Concert Hall. It celebrated 30 years of friendship between Iceland and China.

On September 26, 2007, Diddú was a special guest at a concert in London. She sang with the National Symphony Orchestra. She performed famous classical songs like "Il Bacio" and "Casta diva." She also sang duets with another singer, Garðar Thór Cortes. They performed songs from operas like La bohème and Rigoletto, and also "The Prayer".

Personal Life

Diddú is married to Þorkell Jóelsson, who is also a musician. Her father, Hjálmtýr E. Hjálmtýsson, was an actor in several Icelandic comedy films. Diddú's youngest brother, Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson, is a well-known pop singer and DJ.

Selected Performances

Discography

• Sigrún Hjálmtýsdóttir Sópran (1992)
• Töfrar (Magic, 1994)
• Jólastjarna (Christmas Star, 1997)
• Klassík (Classical, 1998)
• Ljós Og Skuggar (Light and Shadows, 2000)
• Óskastund (A Moment for a Wish, 2001)
• Fuglar Tímans (Birds of Time, 2003)
• Hvert Örstutt Spor (Each Tiny Step, 2005)