Gorr, Rita (1926–)

views updated

Gorr, Rita (1926–)

Belgian mezzo-soprano. Born Marguerite Geirnaert, Feb 18, 1926, in Zelzaete, Belgium.

Equally comfortable as a contralto and mezzo-soprano, sang in Strasbourg Opera (1949–52); made debut at Paris Opéra and Opéra-Comique (1952); debuted at Bayreuth (1958), Covent Garden in Aïda (1959); debuted at Teatro alla Scala as Kundry in Parsifal (1960), and Metropolitan Opera (1962); made several recordings, including as Amneris in Verdi's Aïdawith Georg Solti, which may be the finest performance of the part on record.

See also Women in World History.

More From encyclopedia.com