Sylvia Sass
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One of the last great dramatic-coloratura sopranos of the 20th century[citation needed], Sylvia Sass was born near Budapest, Hungary, in 1951. Her mother was a coloratura soprano and her father was a high school music-teacher.
At 14, Sass made her stage debut in a school production of Adam's operetta, "Nurnberger Puppe." Soon after, she began studying music at the world-famous Liszt Academy, where she completed a five-year program in two years. She then commenced a seven-year stint with the Hungarian State Opera, where she made her professional debut as Frasquita in Bizet's "Carmen" in 1971.
In Budapest, Sass sang to tremendous acclaim in roles such as Freia in "Das Rheingold," Violetta in "La traviata," and Mimì in "La bohème." In 1976, Sass caused a sensation in London when the Hungarian production of Verdi's "I Lombardi" was presented at Covent Garden. Almost overnight, an international star was born. Sass was hailed both for the beauty and accuracy of her singing, and for the intense commitment of her acting. The fact that she was a beauty did not go unnoticed. Decca Records signed her at once.
In 1977, Sass made her Italian debut in Turin as Verdi's Lady Macbeth, and that same year made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Puccini's "Tosca" opposite José Carreras. In 1978, she conquered La Scala with Plácido Domingo in Puccini's "Manon Lescaut," conducted by Georges Prêtre, a performance that was televised live across Europe.
By this time, Sass was already being heralded as "the new Callas," a comparison that placed enormous pressure on the young singer. Sass did have the opportunity to meet Maria Callas once, thanks to an introduction made by Leonard Bernstein. La Divina was at first frosty, but by the end of their session, had warmed to her young successor. When someone later said, "I hear you're the new Maria Callas," Sass replied, "No, I am the first Sylvia Sass."
In fact, Sylvia Sass sang a broader repertoire than Callas, including some 20th-century music. In 1982, Sass became the first soprano in 80 years to perform Alfano's ending of Puccini's unfinished masterpiece, "Turandot," in a world premiere at the London Barbican.
In 1984, she starred in a revival of Franz Schrecker's "Der ferne Klang" in Venice. She also performed in the world premiere of Malipiero's "Sogno di un tramonto d'autunno" in Mantova in 1988. But she is most famous for her Lady Macbeth, Giselda, Tosca (which she sang in New Orleans, in 1987), Fedora, and Salome.
Sass has been honored with many awards, her first in 1972 when she won first prize at the Kodály Voice Competition in Budapest. In 1973, she won the Grand Prix as Violetta in "La traviata" at the International Opera Competition for Young Singers. In 1974. she won the Silver Medal (there was no First Prize) at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. She was also made an Honored Artist of Hungary in 1977.
She has also starred as Judith in a film version of Bartók's "Bluebeard's Castle." Also available on video is a 1983 performance of "Il tabarro," from La Scala. Recently, she sang her first Carmen at a Budapest music festival.
Today, Sylvia Sass lives in France, where she keeps herself busy giving recitals, conducting master-classes, painting and showing her works in exhibitions all over the world. Her first book, "The Interior Voice," will be published in 2007.
Among her numerous recordings are of Verdi's "Stiffelio" with José Carreras, "Don Giovanni" conducted by Sir Georg Solti, Cherubini's "Médée" (in the Italian version), Strauss's "Four Last Songs," Verdi's "Macbeth" with Piero Cappuccilli, Verdi's "I Lombardi," "Ernani," and "Attila." She has also recorded many recital discs of opera arias and Lieder by Wagner, Strauss, Schubert, and Liszt.
