László Polgár (bass)

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László Polgár (January 1, 1947) is an Hungarian operatic bass.

Born in Budapest, Hungary, he studied with Eva Kutrucz at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, 1967-72, and later privately with Hans Hotter and Yevgeny Nesterenko. He made his debut at the Hungarian State Opera in 1971, as Count Ceprano in Rigoletto, other roles included; Osmin, Sarastro, Leporello, Basilio, Gurnemanz, etc.

His international career took off in 1981, when he sang Rodolfo in La sonnambula at the Royal Opera House in London. He became a regular guest at the Vienna State Opera in 1983, at the Munich State Opera and the Opéra de Paris from 1985, he has also appeared in Zurich, Hamburg, and at the festivals of Salzburg and Aix-en-Provence.

Notable roles include; Oroveso, Giorgio, Il Prefetto, Walter, Padre Guardiano, Filippo, etc.

He is perhaps best known for his magnetic interpretation of Bartok 's Bluebeard, which he sang several times with distinction, and also recorded with Pierre Boulez.

He is also an outstanding oratorio and Lieder singer, and owes his international fame to his beautiful, silky voice, and his remarkable declamation and musicality.

Polgár is also teaching at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest.