Death of Spanish mezzo-soprano Teresa Berganza

The Madrid singer Teresa Berganza, known in particular for her interpretation of Carmen, has just died at the age of 89.

Spanish mezzo-soprano Teresa Berganza, who performed in the world’s greatest concert halls since the early 1950s and was notably a legendary Carmen, died Friday at the age of 89, a announced the Spanish Ministry of Culture.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of Teresa Berganza’s passing,” the ministry tweeted as the Prime Minister hailed “one of the greatest female voices in the world.”

“His voice, his elegance, his art will accompany us forever,” continued Pedro Sanchez.

“I don’t want a public announcement or a wake, nothing. I came into the world without anyone knowing, I want it to be the same when I leave,” she wrote in a post. posthumous message broadcast by his family in the Spanish media.

Specialized in the repertoires of Rossini and Mozart

The Madrid singer specialized in the repertoires of Rossini and Mozart, as well as the incarnation of the character of Carmen in Bizet’s opera. His performance under the direction of Helmut von Karajan is a benchmark.

She made her debut in 1957 at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, in the role of Dorabella in Così fan tutteby Mozart.

The following year, the opera singer went to the United States, to Dallas, alongside Maria Callas, in Medea by Cherubini. She then sang in the most famous venues in the world, from Vienna to Milan via Paris, London, New York or Chicago.

She was the first woman admitted to the Royal Academy of Arts of Spain and is also an honorary doctor of the University of Complutense in Madrid.

In 2005, she received the insignia of Chevalier in the National Order of the Legion of Honor in France.