Cotrubas, Ileana (1939—)

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Cotrubas, Ileana (1939—)

World-famous Rumanian soprano, known especially for her Mozart roles. Born Ileana Galati in Rumania on June 9, 1939; studied in Budapest with Elenescu and Stroescu.

Ileana Cotrubas made her debut in Bucharest in 1964 after studying singing there for several years. She then went to Vienna for further study and three years at the Frankfurt Opera from 1968 to 1971. In 1967, she sang the Second Boy in Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), and two years later she was performing at Glyndebourne. Appearances at Covent Garden, the Paris Opéra, La Scala, and the Metropolitan followed. Her sweet-toned, agile voice conveyed vulnerability to great effect and as a result Cortrubas often played young, gentle heroines. She sang Tatyana, Violetta, Adina, Norina, Amina, Antonia, and Manon among other characters. Many of her roles were recorded, especially those written by Mozart, before her retirement in 1989.