A BIRGIT NILSSON TIMELINE

  • 1918-born May 17th, Vastra Karup, Sweden
  • 1946-professional debut as Agathe (Freischutz), @ Stockholm
  • 1947-Lady Macbeth @ Stockholm
  • 1951-Elettra (Idomeneo) @ Glydebourne
  • 1952-Donna Anna @ Florence
  • 1953-Elisabeth, Isolde @ Stockholm
  • 1954-Bayreuth Debut as Elsa
  • 1955-1st complete Ring cycle (Munich)
  • 1956-Brunnhilde (Walkure) @ San Francisco, Chicago
  • 1958-Turandot @ la Scala



    • "As early as 1956 Bing had been interested in Nilsson. Casting about for a Salome (Callas had been his first choice), he asked Bauer to check up on Nilsson; the manager thought he had heard her in Munich and Stuttgart (as Fidelio under Wieland Wagner). By June 1958 knew what to think himself, for he informed Bob Herman that he was 'thrilled' by her Isolde... While Bing latched on to Nilsson for the 1959-60 season, he was a Johnny-come-lately in the booking game, for the soprano had appeared in both Chicago and San Francisco three years earlier" -Paul Jackson, Sign-Off For The Old Met

    1959

    Dec. 18-Met Debut as Isolde

    Dec 19 -NY Times Front Page Headline:
    "Birgit Nilsson as Isolde Flashes Like New Star in 'Met' Heavens."

    Dec 28-Birgit's Night of Three Tristans at Met: Ramon Vinay, Act I; Karl Liebl, Act II; Albert DaCosta, Act III. Photo-Op (from Met)

  • 1996-James Levine's 25th Anniversary Gala @ Met



    • "It is so different when you get a singer's conductor, like Jimmy Levine...Who breathes with the singer. Who enjoys it, and inspires you. Who has the music in his head, and not his head in the music. Like Mitropolos, he knew every rehearsal number."-Birgit Nilsson on James Levine

  • 2005-died Dec 25th, Vastra Karup, Sweden (cause of death not confirmed)
  • 2006-Jan 11th, funeral in Vastra Karap; Swedish press reports Nilsson's death

    • more entries will be added soon!
    The Birgit Nilsson Virtual Monument Is An Ongoing Project From The NYC Opera Fanatic

    Main Page
    Birgit Nilsson On Video And Disc
    When Colleagues Talk
    The Gospel According To Birgit

    NYC Opera Fanatic Homepage

    Hosted by Yahoo! Web Hosting Counter
    The Birgit Nilsson Virtual Monument Is An Ongoing Project From The NYC Opera Fanatic

    Main Page
    Birgit Nilsson On Video And Disc
    When Colleagues Talk
    The Gospel According To Birgit

    NYC Opera Fanatic Homepage

    "Luck plays a big part in this profession, you have to have it."-Birgit Nilsson

    1949: AUF NAXOS, AUF SWEDISH

    Birgit Sings Strauss' Ariadne

    1964: "IN QUESTA REGGIA", TURANDOT

    "Now I feel as if I could go sing Turandot!" -Birgit Nilsson

    at the end of the infamous 'Three Tenors' Tristan und Isolde at the Met

    "Dich teuer halle" Tannhauser

    Elisabeth's Greeting. Date Unknown

    Notes