Singer

Anja Harteros

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• 09 April 2025
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Anja Harteros, born on July 23, 1972, in Bergneustadt, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is a distinguished soprano renowned for her interpretations of both lyric and dramatic roles in the operatic repertoire. Of Greek and German descent, she was encouraged from a young age to pursue classical music and singing. Her talent was nurtured during her studies at the Hochschule für Musik Köln under the guidance of Liselotte Hammes. ​

Harteros's professional career commenced in the mid-1990s with ensemble positions at theaters in Gelsenkirchen, Wuppertal, and Bonn. A pivotal moment came in 1999 when she won the Cardiff Singer of the World competition, becoming the first German to achieve this honor. This victory led to an invitation from Sir Peter Jonas to perform the role of Agathe in "Der Freischütz" at the Bavarian State Opera, marking the beginning of a significant association with the company. ​

Throughout her illustrious career, Harteros has graced many of the world's leading opera houses. At the Metropolitan Opera in New York, she debuted as Countess Almaviva in "Le nozze di Figaro" in 2003, later portraying Violetta in "La traviata" and Donna Anna in "Don Giovanni" under the baton of James Levine. Her performances at the Paris Opéra have included roles such as Eva in "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg," Fiordiligi in "Così fan tutte," and Leonora in "La forza del destino." At London's Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, she has been acclaimed for her portrayal of Desdemona in "Otello." La Scala in Milan has featured her as Alcina in Handel's opera, Elsa in Wagner's "Lohengrin," and Amelia in Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra" under Daniel Barenboim. ​

Harteros's repertoire encompasses a wide range of roles, reflecting her versatility and depth as a performer. Notable portrayals include the Countess in "The Marriage of Figaro," Donna Anna in "Don Giovanni," Violetta in "La traviata," Desdemona in "Otello," Arabella in Strauss's "Arabella," and the Marschallin in "Der Rosenkavalier." Her interpretations of Wagnerian heroines such as Elsa in "Lohengrin" and Elisabeth in "Tannhäuser" have also garnered critical acclaim. ​

In recognition of her contributions to opera, Harteros was named Bavarian Kammersängerin in 2007, the youngest recipient of this title at the time. She received the Bavarian Order of Merit in 2018 and has been honored with the Meistersinger Medal. Her artistry continues to captivate audiences worldwide, solidifying her status as one of the preeminent sopranos of her generation.

Doing justice to the sublime orchestrations by Richard Strauss of the verses by Hesse and Eichendorff in his Four Last Songs requires exceptional qualities: maturity of mind and character, with a voice at its peak. This is one of the most outstanding performances since that of Leontyne Price and Jessye Norman.



Photo/image by carolanbg ⓒ Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 License.

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