Teresa Berganza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Excelentísima Señora Doña
Teresa Berganza
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Berganza in 1957
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| Born |
Teresa Berganza Vargas
16 March 1933 Madrid, Spain
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| Died | 13 May 2022 (aged 89) San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain
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| Education | Madrid Royal Conservatory |
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| Organization | Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía |
| Spouse(s) |
Félix Lavilla
(m. 1957; div. 1977) |
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Teresa Berganza Vargas OAXS (born March 16, 1933 – died May 13, 2022) was a famous Spanish opera singer. She was a mezzo-soprano, which is a type of female singing voice. People especially loved her in roles like Rosina in Rossini's The Barber of Seville and Carmen in Bizet's opera.
Teresa was admired for her amazing singing skills and how well she understood music. She also had a charming presence on stage. She played a big part in bringing back many old Rossini operas. She also appeared in the 1979 Don Giovanni film. Later, she performed at the opening ceremonies for big events like Seville Expo '92 and the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
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Her Amazing Life and Career
Teresa Berganza was born in Madrid, Spain, on March 16, 1933. She studied both piano and singing at the Madrid Royal Conservatory. In 1954, she won first prize for her singing. She gave her first concert in Madrid in 1955.
First Opera Performances
Teresa made her first opera appearance in 1957. She sang the role of Dorabella in Mozart's Così fan tutte at the Aix-en-Provence Festival. In the same year, she also performed at La Scala, a very famous opera house.
In 1958, she sang at the Glyndebourne Festival as Cherubino in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro. She later also sang the main role in Rossini's La Cenerentola there. In 1959, Teresa first appeared at the Royal Opera House in London, again as Cherubino. The next year, she sang Rosina in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia there. This role became one of her most famous.
Performing in the United States
Teresa Berganza first performed in the U.S. in 1958. She sang in Dallas, Texas, as Isabella in Rossini's L'italiana in Algeri. She also sang as Neris in Cherubini's Médée alongside the legendary singer Maria Callas.
In 1967, she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She sang Cherubino again. A reviewer from the New York Daily News said she was "the most charming Rosina at the Met." They praised her style and skill, saying she "lit the stage up whenever she was on it."
Bringing Rossini Back
Teresa Berganza was a very important singer in bringing back many of Rossini's operas. She helped make sure these roles were sung in the way Rossini originally intended. This was a big deal in the opera world.
Famous Roles and Concerts
In 1977, Teresa Berganza performed as Carmen in Bizet's opera at the Edinburgh Festival. This was seen as one of her greatest successes on stage. She also sang this role at the Paris Opera. She played Carmen in a very smart way, making the famous "Habanera" song sound special.
As a concert singer, Teresa made her debut at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1964. Her concerts included songs from Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and Russia. From 1957 to 1977, Teresa was married to the composer and pianist Félix Lavilla. He often played the piano for her concerts and recordings. They had three children, including the singer Cecilia Lavilla Berganza.
Teresa loved to sing Spanish songs. These included old medieval songs and shorter pieces by composers like Manuel de Falla and Enrique Granados. She performed at the opening of the National Auditorium of Music in Madrid. She also sang at the opening of the Opéra Bastille in Paris in 1989. In 1992, she performed at the opening ceremonies for Seville Expo '92 and the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
Later Years
Teresa Berganza stopped performing on stage in 2008. After that, she taught singing at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía. She also continued to perform Spanish music and gave special master classes to students all over the world. Some of her students became famous singers themselves.
Teresa Berganza passed away on May 13, 2022, in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain. She was 89 years old.
Films
Teresa Berganza appeared in nine movies. These included Il barbiere di Siviglia in 1972. She also played Zerlina in Joseph Losey's Don Giovanni in 1979. In 1980, she was in films of Massenet's Werther and Carmen.
Awards and Honors
Teresa Berganza received many important awards and honors throughout her life.
- In 1982, she received a Gold Medal of Merit in Fine Arts from Spain.
- In 1991, she shared the Prince of Asturias Award for arts and letters with six other Spanish singers. This is one of Spain's highest honors.
- In 1994, she became the first woman ever chosen to be part of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, a famous arts academy.
- In 1996, she received the Premio Nacional de Música, Spain's National Music Award.
- She also received the Grand Prix Rossini.
- In 2013, she was given the Dame Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise by Spain.
- In 2018, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Opera Awards.
Images for kids
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Berganza in 1957
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Teresa Berganza during a master class in May 2009
See also
In Spanish: Teresa Berganza para niños
