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{{short description|Austrian lyric soprano}}
'''Gundula Janowitz''' (born August 2, 1937 in Berlin, Germany)<ref name=Grove> by ], ] {{Subscription}}</ref> is an Austrian ] singer of ]s, ]s and ]s. She is one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century and was pre-eminent in the 1960s and 1970s.
{{infobox person
| title = ]in
| name = Gundula Janowitz
| image =
| image_upright =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1937|8|2|df=y}}
| birth_place = Berlin, Germany
| nationality = Austrian
| occupation = Soprano singer
| organisation = ]
| years_active = 1959–1997
| awards = ]
}}

'''Gundula Janowitz''' (born 2 August 1937)<ref name=Grove> by ], ] {{Subscription required}}</ref> is an Austrian ] singer of operas, oratorios, lieder, and concerts. She is one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century and was pre-eminent in the 1960s and 1970s.


==Career== ==Career==
Janowitz grew up in ], Austria, where she became a ] Austrian.<ref> by Manuel Brug, '']'' (2 August 2007) {{De icon}}</ref> She studied at the ] in Austria,<ref name=bc /> and had already begun to sing at the highest level by the end of the 1950s (Haydn's '']'', with ] in 1960). In 1959, Karajan engaged her as Barbarina in Mozart's '']'' at the ], of which she became a permanent member in 1962. In the 1960s and 1970s, she became one of the most popular singers in her field internationally and she developed a comprehensive and widely-followed discography of works ranging from ] to ], in cooperation with the most prominent conductors (her mentor at times, Karajan, as well as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], etc.) Janowitz was born in Berlin, but grew up in ], Austria, where she became a ] Austrian.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-11-16 |title=Glückwunsch: Gundula Janowitz 70 - WELT |url=https://www.welt.de/welt_print/article1073834/Gundula-Janowitz-70.html |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=DIE WELT |language=de}}</ref> She studied at the ] in Austria,<ref name=bc /> and had already begun to sing at the highest level by the end of the 1950s (Haydn's '']'', with ] in 1960). In 1959, Karajan engaged her as Barbarina in Mozart's '']'' at the ], of which she became a permanent member in 1962.


During the 1960s and 1970s, Janowitz became one of the most popular singers in her field internationally and she developed a comprehensive discography of works ranging from ] to ]. Those eminent conductors with whom she performed included Karajan, but also ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].
One of the emphases of Janowitz's work was the development of song recitals, which she gave several times at the ]s. Following her vocal career, she was active as a vocal teacher. In 1990, she temporarily took over the position of Opera Director in Graz.<ref name=bc> at bach-cantatas.com</ref>


One of the emphases of Janowitz's work was the development of song recitals, which she gave several times at the ]. Following her vocal career, she was active as a vocal teacher. In 1990, she temporarily took over the position of Opera Director in Graz.<ref name="bc">{{Cite web |title=Gundula Janowitz (Soprano) - Short Biography |url=https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Janowitz-Gundula.htm |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=www.bach-cantatas.com}}</ref>
In 1978, Gundula Janowitz was awarded the ] of the state of ], Austria, named for the composer, ].<ref></ref>


Janowitz appeared on many of the great stages of the world, including ], the ]s, the ], the ], the ]. She was made a ]in in 1970.<ref name=bc /> In 1973, she sang the part of the Countess in a now legendary new production of ''Le nozze di Figaro'' (with ] as conductor, ] as director and ] as set designer). Janowitz appeared on many of the great stages of the world, including the ], the ], the ], the ], the ], ] and the ]. In 1980, she sang the part of the Countess in a now legendary new production of ''The Marriage of Figaro'' (with Georg Solti as conductor, ] as director and ] as set designer). Her recording of Schubert's ''Lieder'' for female voice has been twice awarded Germany's ].<ref name="abc">{{Cite web |title=BBC - Wales - Cardiff Singer of the World - About Cardiff Singer - Gundula Janowitz |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/cardiffsinger/sites/about/pages/gundula_janowitz.shtml |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>


Her farewell premiere was at the Vienna State Opera in the title role of Gluck's '']'' (with ] as conductor, ] as director, and ] as set designer). Janowitz made her official farewell from the stage in 1990. Janowitz's farewell to the operatic stage was on 18 May 1990, at the Vienna State Opera in the title role of '']'' (with ] as conductor, and {{Interlanguage link|Filippo Sanjust|de}} as director and designer). She kept singing ''Lieder'' recitals until 1997, when she completely retired from performing. As well as being an honorary member of the Vienna State Opera and of the Academy of Music in Graz, she was appointed an honorary member of the ] in London in 2000.


==Voice and repertory== ==Voice and repertory==
Gundula Janowitz's voice is distinguished by its very bright, pure, crystalline, ]-free sound with tight, rapid ], and by her even breathing technique. She kept her youthful, angelic tone and freshness well into her mature years. Like her predecessors, ] and ], who had similar ] to hers, and like her contemporary, ], Janowitz mastered first and foremost the high and middle register and lyrical-emotional expression. Despite her comparatively weak sound projection, she occasionally performed in dramatic roles (Sieglinde, Leonore, Elsa) or comic roles (Marzelline, Rosalinde), but she was most highly regarded as Fiordiligi, Countess Almaviva, Pamina, Agathe, Arabella, Ariadne, the Angel Gabriel (''The Creation''), and Countess Madeleine, and in sacred music. She was also a leading interpreter of Richard Strauss "]".<ref name=Grove /> With a few exceptions, she avoided foreign-language roles (although recordings exist of her singing '']'' and Verdi's '']'' and all three Mozart/] operas in Italian). Janowitz's voice is recognizable by its pure,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.norpete.com/v1674.html|title=Gundula Janowitz (Gala 337)|work=Norbeck, Peters & Ford|access-date=2015-09-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/gundula-janowitz-the-golden-voice|title=Gundula Janowitz - (The) Golden Voice}} by James Jolly, ] (2006-04-01)</ref> "creamy"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/album/sinfinimusic.html|title=Sinfinimusic - Deutsche Grammophon|website=www.deutschegrammophon.com|access-date=2020-01-31|archive-date=2019-12-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212024459/https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/album/sinfinimusic.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> tone, and rapid vibrato.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ferrante|first1=Isidoro|title=Vibrato rate and extent in soprano voice: A survey on one century of singing|journal=The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America|date=2011-09-02|volume=130|issue=3|page=1686|url=http://opera.wolftrap.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Vibrato-rate-and-extent-in-soprano-voice.pdf|doi=10.1121/1.3621017|pmid=21895105}}</ref> Like her predecessor ], who had a similar ] to hers, and like her contemporary, ], Janowitz mastered first and foremost the high and middle register and lyrical-emotional expression. Despite her comparatively weak sound projection, she occasionally performed in dramatic roles (], ], ]) or comic roles (], ]), but she was most highly regarded as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and in sacred music (the Angel Gabriel, '']'').<ref name=Grove/> Of her interpretation of '']'' by Richard Strauss, ] wrote: "Although ] and ] do fine interpretations of this monumental work, Janowitz’s performance has been described, rightly, as transcendental. It aches with love for a life that is quietly fading. I know of no other piece of music, nor any performance, which moves me quite like this."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2003-11-20 |title=David Bowie's Favorite Albums |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2016/04/david-bowie-favorite-albums |access-date=2023-09-20 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}</ref> With a few exceptions, she avoided foreign-language roles (although recordings exist of her singing '']'' and Verdi's '']'' and all three Mozart/] operas in Italian). An excerpt of her portrayal of the ''Figaro'' Countess in the duettino "]" with Swiss soprano ] features prominently in the 1994 film '']''.

An excerpt of her portrayal of the ''Figaro'' Countess in a duet with Swiss soprano ] features prominently in the 1994 film '']''.


==Selected discography== ==Selected discography==
* With ]: '']'' * With ]: '']''
* With ]: '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' (as Marzelline), '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' * With ]: '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', ], '']'' (as Marzelline), ], ], '']'', '']''
* With ], '']''
* With ]: '']'' (as Leonore) * With ]: '']'' (as Leonore)
* With ]: '']'' * With ]: '']''
* With ]: '']'' * With ]: '']''
* With ]: '']'', '']'', '']'', ''The Seasons'', '']'' * With ]: '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']''
* With ]: '']'' (as Donna Elvira)
* With ]: '']'', '']'' * With ]: '']'', '']''
* With ]: '']'' * With ]: '']''
* With ]: '']'', '']'', '']'',''Mass in B minor'' * With ]: '']'', '']'', '']''
* With ]: '']'' (1962, as Flower Girl) * With ]: '']'' (1962, as Flower Girl)
* With ]: '']''
* 15 Lieder by ], with Charles Spencer (piano)
* With ]: '']''
* Schubert Lieder, with Irwin Gage (piano). Includes "]", "Die Männer sind méchant", and "]".
* With Wilfried Boettcher: '']: ]s'', '']: ] (Dramatic Cantata)''
* ]er by ], with ] (piano)
* ]er by ], with ] (piano). Includes "'']''", "''Die Männer sind méchant''", and "'']''"
* ], Op.27, by ], with Irwin Gage (piano).

==Filmography==
'''Concerts'''
* ''Gundula Janowitz: In Concert'' ''(recorded live)'' (1970, conductor ], Video Artists International Inc.)
* ''Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op.125 "Choral"'' (1968, conductor/director Herbert von Karajan, Unitel Classica)
* ''Bach Mass in B minor BWV 232'' (1969, conductor Karl Richter; director Arne Arbom, Unitel Classica)
* ''Mozart Requiem K.626'' (1971, conductor Karl Böhm; director ], Unitel Classica)
* ''Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, op.45'' (1978, conductor/director Herbert von Karajan, Unitel Classica)

'''Operas'''
* '']'' (1969, conductor Karl Böhm; director ], Unitel Classica)
* '']'' (1972, conductor Karl Böhm; director ], Unitel Classica)
* '']'' (1977, conductor Sir ]; director Otto Schenk, Unitel Classica)
* '']'' (1977, conductor ]; director ], Gaumont Distribution)
* '']'' (1978, conductor, Karl Böhm; director John Vernon, Unitel Classica)
* '']'' (1978, conductor, ]; director Otto Schenk, Deutsche Grammophon)

==Decorations and awards==
* ]in (Austria, 1969; Berlin, 1974)<ref name=abc />
* 1978 ] Music Prize of the State of ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.joseph-marx-gesellschaft.org/english/joseph-marx.html|title=Joseph Marx :: Joseph Marx Society|website=www.joseph-marx-gesellschaft.org}}</ref>
* 2000 ]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf | title = Reply to a parliamentary question | language = de | page=1250 | access-date = 2013-01-21 }}</ref>
* 2003 Gold Medal for services to the City of Vienna
* Grand Gold Decoration of Styria
* 2019 Hugo-Wolf-Award<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sn.at/kultur/allgemein/hugo-wolf-medaille-fuer-oesterreichische-sopranistin-janowitz-73763743 |title=Hugo-Wolf-Medaille für österreichische Sopranistin Janowitz |date=2019-07-22 |work=Salzburger Nachrichten |agency=dpa}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
* archived on 2014-12-27
*{{IMDb name|0417916}}
*{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000781608|label=Gundula Janowitz|first=Anne|last=Feeney|access-date=28 March 2015}}
* *
*, ''Ariadne auf Naxos'', Vienna State Opera, 18 May 1990
*
*
*{{Imdb name|0417916}}
* at the ] in Salzburg 1971 in the

{{Portal bar|Opera}}
{{Gramophone Hall of Fame}}Online Archive of the ] {{registration required}} Retrieved 7. November 2022
{{Authority control}}


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| DATE OF BIRTH =
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| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Janowitz, Gundula}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Janowitz, Gundula}}
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Latest revision as of 12:42, 10 January 2025

Austrian lyric soprano
Gundula Janowitz
Born (1937-08-02) 2 August 1937 (age 87)
Berlin, Germany
NationalityAustrian
OccupationSoprano singer
Years active1959–1997
OrganisationVienna State Opera
TitleKammersängerin
AwardsAustrian Decoration for Science and Art

Gundula Janowitz (born 2 August 1937) is an Austrian lyric soprano singer of operas, oratorios, lieder, and concerts. She is one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century and was pre-eminent in the 1960s and 1970s.

Career

Janowitz was born in Berlin, but grew up in Graz, Austria, where she became a naturalised Austrian. She studied at the Graz Conservatory in Austria, and had already begun to sing at the highest level by the end of the 1950s (Haydn's The Creation, with Herbert von Karajan in 1960). In 1959, Karajan engaged her as Barbarina in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro at the Vienna State Opera, of which she became a permanent member in 1962.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Janowitz became one of the most popular singers in her field internationally and she developed a comprehensive discography of works ranging from Bach to Richard Strauss. Those eminent conductors with whom she performed included Karajan, but also Otto Klemperer, Eugen Jochum, Leonard Bernstein, Rafael Kubelík, Karl Böhm, Georg Solti, and Carlos Kleiber.

One of the emphases of Janowitz's work was the development of song recitals, which she gave several times at the Salzburg Festival. Following her vocal career, she was active as a vocal teacher. In 1990, she temporarily took over the position of Opera Director in Graz.

Janowitz appeared on many of the great stages of the world, including the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, the Bayreuth Festival, the Salzburg Easter Festival, the Metropolitan Opera, the Paris Opera, La Scala and the Royal Opera House. In 1980, she sang the part of the Countess in a now legendary new production of The Marriage of Figaro (with Georg Solti as conductor, Giorgio Strehler as director and Ezio Frigerio as set designer). Her recording of Schubert's Lieder for female voice has been twice awarded Germany's Deutscher Schallplattenpreis.

Janowitz's farewell to the operatic stage was on 18 May 1990, at the Vienna State Opera in the title role of Ariadne auf Naxos (with Heinrich Hollreiser as conductor, and Filippo Sanjust [de] as director and designer). She kept singing Lieder recitals until 1997, when she completely retired from performing. As well as being an honorary member of the Vienna State Opera and of the Academy of Music in Graz, she was appointed an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music in London in 2000.

Voice and repertory

Janowitz's voice is recognizable by its pure, "creamy" tone, and rapid vibrato. Like her predecessor Maria Stader, who had a similar timbre to hers, and like her contemporary, Elizabeth Harwood, Janowitz mastered first and foremost the high and middle register and lyrical-emotional expression. Despite her comparatively weak sound projection, she occasionally performed in dramatic roles (Sieglinde, Leonore, Elsa) or comic roles (Marzelline, Rosalinde), but she was most highly regarded as Fiordiligi, Countess Rosina Almaviva, Pamina, Agathe, Arabella, Ariadne, Countess Madeleine, and in sacred music (the Angel Gabriel, The Creation). Of her interpretation of Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss, David Bowie wrote: "Although Eleanor Steber and Lisa Della Casa do fine interpretations of this monumental work, Janowitz’s performance has been described, rightly, as transcendental. It aches with love for a life that is quietly fading. I know of no other piece of music, nor any performance, which moves me quite like this." With a few exceptions, she avoided foreign-language roles (although recordings exist of her singing Don Carlos and Verdi's Requiem and all three Mozart/DaPonte operas in Italian). An excerpt of her portrayal of the Figaro Countess in the duettino "Canzonetta sull'aria" with Swiss soprano Edith Mathis features prominently in the 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption.

Selected discography

Filmography

Concerts

  • Gundula Janowitz: In Concert (recorded live) (1970, conductor Berislav Klobučar, Video Artists International Inc.)
  • Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op.125 "Choral" (1968, conductor/director Herbert von Karajan, Unitel Classica)
  • Bach Mass in B minor BWV 232 (1969, conductor Karl Richter; director Arne Arbom, Unitel Classica)
  • Mozart Requiem K.626 (1971, conductor Karl Böhm; director Hugo Käch, Unitel Classica)
  • Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, op.45 (1978, conductor/director Herbert von Karajan, Unitel Classica)

Operas

Decorations and awards

References

  1. ^ "Janowitz, Gundula" by Alan Blyth, Grove Music Online (subscription required)
  2. "Glückwunsch: Gundula Janowitz 70 - WELT". DIE WELT (in German). 2011-11-16. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  3. ^ "Gundula Janowitz (Soprano) - Short Biography". www.bach-cantatas.com. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  4. ^ "BBC - Wales - Cardiff Singer of the World - About Cardiff Singer - Gundula Janowitz". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  5. "Gundula Janowitz (Gala 337)". Norbeck, Peters & Ford. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  6. "Gundula Janowitz - (The) Golden Voice". by James Jolly, Gramophone (2006-04-01)
  7. "Sinfinimusic - Deutsche Grammophon". www.deutschegrammophon.com. Archived from the original on 2019-12-12. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  8. Ferrante, Isidoro (2011-09-02). "Vibrato rate and extent in soprano voice: A survey on one century of singing" (PDF). The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 130 (3): 1686. doi:10.1121/1.3621017. PMID 21895105.
  9. "David Bowie's Favorite Albums". Vanity Fair. 2003-11-20. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  10. "Joseph Marx :: Joseph Marx Society". www.joseph-marx-gesellschaft.org.
  11. "Reply to a parliamentary question" (PDF) (in German). p. 1250. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  12. "Hugo-Wolf-Medaille für österreichische Sopranistin Janowitz". Salzburger Nachrichten. dpa. 2019-07-22.

External links

Portal:
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Online Archive of the Österreichische Mediathek (registration required) Retrieved 7. November 2022

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