Page 34 - Birgit Nilsson Book

A note by Decca producer Christopher Raeburn*
Birgit Nilsson was only beginning to become a world-renowned artist when I rst met her in Vienna in the mid-1950s. I am not sure that she had even begun to record then — certainly not for Decca. Her rst appearance in Vienna had been as Sieglinde, and her roles were then heavy lyric rather than dramatic. Although we were not quite contemporaries we became friends and I had the presumption to give her well-meaning critiques. I remember her rst appearance in Salome, and in those days she was doubled by a girl from the ballet for the Dance of the Seven Veils. I suggested that she might appear a little breathless rather than looking as if she had just enjoyed a well-earned rest in her dressing room. I have to say that she took the note in good part, and much later when I became one of her producers she was always amenable to suggestions.
She was a great team player and a most loyal colleague. When she became a world star she would stand up to her record company (not always Decca) if they wished to impose a contract artist opposite her rather than someone she felt was artistically more appropriate, and the bottom line for her was suitability rather than personal friendship, though that also played a part. Because Birgit was the leading dramatic soprano of her day there could be an impression that she was remote and cold. This is far from the truth. She loves joining in, she has a most infectious laugh and enjoys having fun. Her dramatic range is formidable. Apart from the obvious Wagner repertory she is unequalled in Sibelius’s Höstkväll by anyone including Flagstad, but she also has a great sense of pathos exempli ed particularly in Strauss roles such as Elektra and the Dyer’s Wife.
Rather late in her career, knowing her sense of humour, I offered her the role of the Witch in Hänsel und Gretel. Though I thought she would enjoy singing and acting it, she was then in no way prepared to take on a character role. But she immediately offered to sing Hänsel. That’s Birgit — and she has remained a dear friend.
*Christopher Raeburn (1928-2009) originally contributed this personal reminiscence for a 2-CD portrait of Birgit Nilsson published in 2003.
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