Voigt, Deborah Joy

Voigt, Deborah Joy

(voit), 1960–, American dramatic soprano, b. Des Plaines, Ill., grad. California Staate Univ., Fullerton (1978). She is particularly known for her performances in the operas of Richard WagnerWagner, Richard
, 1813–83, German composer, b. Leipzig. Life and Work

Wagner was reared in a theatrical family, had a classical education, and began composing at 17.
..... Click the link for more information.
 and Richard StraussStrauss, Richard
, 1864–1949, German composer. Strauss brought to a culmination the development of the 19th-century symphonic poem, and was a leading composer of romantic opera in the early 20th cent.
..... Click the link for more information.
. Famous for her vibrant and soaringly powerful voice and for her incisive and nuanced characterizations, she first achieved prominence when she won the Pavarotti (1988) and Tchaikovsky (1990) prizes. Voigt made her Carnegie Hall debut in 1988 and performed the title role in Ariadne auf Naxos at the Boston Lyric Opera in 1991. The next year she debuted in Strauss's Elektra at New York's Metropolitan Opera and soon became a regular there; she since has starred at major houses worldwide. Among her many other roles are Tosca, Aïda, Arnelia in Un ballo in maschera, and Leonora in La forza del destino. A successful soloist and recording artist, she also has sung and recorded a number of Broadway and popular musical selections.