Page 22 - Birgit Nilsson Book
P. 22
22 LA NILSSON
Nilsson’s stage debut at Bayreuth came in 1954 when she appeared as Elsa (Lohengrin). Other roles added to her repertory included Leonore (Fidelio) and her rst Viennese appearances later that year were as Isolde. Karl Böhm was in the audience for one of the performances of Tristan und Isolde and supposedly said “but she’s a soubrette!” In her memoirs Nilsson explained*: “His opinion was probably based on the ‘Wagner sound,’ which often came from pushed-up mezzo-sopranos who had a dark, heavy ‘fat’ sound. My vocal technique made for a slenderer sound than my predecessor, not so dark and heavy in the low range, and, therefore, a more carrying, powerful top. One of the critics wrote the headline: ‘WAGNER THAT SOUNDS LIKE MOZART! BIRGIT NILSSON, A FABULOUS SINGER!’”
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