Sweden mourns an opera star
mainThe death is reported of Kerstin Meyer, a leading mezzo-soprano on the international stage in the 1950s and 1960s.
She was 92.
Kerstin made her Covent Garden debut in the 1960 revival of Les Troyens and went on to create a role in Ligeti’s Le grand macabre.
She also appeared at Glyndebourne, Aldeburgh, Hamburg and Munich.
Oh no!!!
I have rarely had so much fun during a recording as when we recorded “the Cat Duet” with Elisabeth Söderström back in the mid-’70s for their duo album. We all laughed until we could hardly breathe.
Rest In Peace, my friend!
Those two wonderful ladies played the lovers Amanda and Amando (who were originally named Clitoria and Spermando by Ligeti) at the 1978 premier of Le grand macabre in Stockholm. What a hoot it must’ve been!
a very fine, musical singer. Rest in peace.
Saw her as Carmen at the Stockholm Opera in 1960 and remember her also for the exhaling of a cigarette with a stream of smoke travelling some 6 feet across the stage….. Great wind power, great voice and lovely stage personality.
Yes, they often included that duet in their joint recitals, sometimes as a delightful encore. Edinburgh should also be added to Norman’s above list of major festivals.
How very sad. Mme Meyer was an artist of great integrity. I considered it a privilege to see and hear as often as I did.
She was apparently Beecham’s original choice of heroine for his famous recording of Carmen.
She was my teacher, my mentor… so close to me as a mother… Rest peacefully my beloved Kerstin