Kirsten Flagstad

Kirsten Malfrid Flagstad, born in Hamar, Norway, in 1895, was a towering figure in the world of opera, renowned as the preeminent Wagnerian soprano of her time. Her meteoric rise to fame included a legendary debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1935, where her powerful and emotive performances captivated audiences and critics alike. Giulio Gatti-Casazza, the esteemed General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, hailed her as one of the greatest gifts to American opera, placing her alongside the legendary Enrico Caruso. Flagstad's journey to stardom was somewhat unconventional; she did not attempt her first Wagnerian role until she was 34, but her deep, resonant voice and dramatic prowess quickly established her as a leading interpreter of Wagner's heroines. Despite her initial reluctance to sing high notes, Flagstad's performances were marked by their emotional depth and technical mastery, making her a beloved figure in the opera world until her passing in 1962.