Two opera singers of great age
RIPWe have been advised of the recent passing of two singers at a great age.
Günther Leib, who has died aged 96, was an East German barotine a member of the Dresden State Opera from 1957 and the Berlin State Opera from 1961 renowned for his Beckmesser. He sang the role at the Metropolitan Opera in 1976.
Margaret Tynes, who was 104,was a US soprano who sang Tosca, Aida and Salome in major European houses, having failed to overcome American apartheid. Her belated Met debut was trashed by a Times critic. She made her home beside Lake Garda in Italy.
Leib’s funny Beckmesser is on Karajan’s recording with Janowitz.
I heard Tynes as Aida. Fabulous!