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Recent updates to the Fan Page:
New date (not yet confirmed): Devereux, Warsaw, 26-Jun-11 (29-Jul-10)
Interview on the occasion of the forthcoming Norma in Salzburg (26-Jul-10)
Review: Lucrezia Borgia in Cologne, 7-Jun-10 (22-Jul-10)
Review of the reissued La Finta Giardiniera CD (22-Jul-10)
Review: Norma in Duisburg, 13-Feb-10 (19-Jul-10)
Article/interview on the occasion of the forthcoming La Traviata concert in the Musikverein (19-Jul-10)
Review: the 12-Jun-10 Lucrezia Borgia in Dresden (13-Jul-10)
Review: Concert in Frankfurt, 3-May-10 (11-Jul-10)
A new CD recording of "Lucrezia Borgia" will be released by Nightingale Classics in October 2010. (7-Jul-10)
Preliminary La Straniera dates added to the Schedule (5-Jul-10)
Reviews of the 30-Jun-10 Roberto Devereux in Munich: see Performance reviews (2-Jul-10)
Tickets to the 21-Dec-10 Traviata in the Musikverein are on sale (1-Jul-10)
Ticket sale to the "Anna Bolena" performances in Barcelona starts on July 12 at 9 a.m. local time (29-Jun-10)
Costume & set design and other info about the forthcoming "Anna Bolena" in Barcelona (17-Jun-10)
Review: Lucrezia Borgia in Dresden, 12-Jun (14-Jun-10)
Review: Lucrezia Borgia in Köln, 7-Jun (8-Jun-10)
Interview on the occasion of the "Lucrezia Borgia" concert in Köln (7-Jun-10)
Review: Lucrezia Borgia in Dortmund, 4-Jun (6-Jun-10)
Radio interview on the occasion of the Lucrezia Borgia in Dortmund (6-Jun-10)
Interview in Polish (3-Jun-10)
Another review of the Warsaw concert (3-Jun-10)
Review of the 14-May-10 aria concert in Warsaw (15-May-10)
Pictures of the 14-May-10 aria concert in Warsaw (15-May-10)
Reviews of the 3-May-10 concert in Frankfurt: 1 2 3 4 (5-May-10)
Another (Italian) review of the aria concert in Munich (5-May-10)
Other review of the aria concert in Munich (4-May-10)
Review: aria concert in Munich, 29-Apr-10 (3-May-10)
Review: Aria concert in Rosenheim, 22-Apr-10 (24-Apr-10)
Review: the 2-Apr-10 Norma in Brussels (23-Apr-10)
Interview on the occasion of the Mad Scenes concert in Munich (23-Apr-2010)
Ticket sale to the Munich Traviatas has started (21/23-Apr-10)
Review of the 21-Mar-10 concert in Madrid (16-Apr-10)
Major update to schedule (5-Apr-10)
Norma concerts in France in Dec-2011(3-Apr-10)
Anna Bolena in Dresden in Jun-2011 (tickets already on sale) (1-Apr-10)
Interview to be broadcast on WDR3 on 10-Apr-10 (1-Apr-10)
Review: Madrid concert, 21-Mar-10 (23-Mar-10)
Programme about the 40th Vienna stage anniversary on ZDF Infokanal (21-Mar-10)
Radio interview made in Munich in 2010. (21-Mar-10)
Radio interview made in Bratislava in November 2009. (12-Mar-10)
A slightly different version of the 40th Vienna stage anniversary TV news item (starts at about 6:50) (5-Mar-10)
Videoclip: curtain call, Devereux, Munich, 21-Feb-10 (28-Feb-10)
Pictures: Concert Norma in Duisburg, 13-Feb-10: 1 2 3 4 (16-Feb-10)
Puritani, 25-Jan-10: Curtain call pictures (6-Feb-10)
Review: Puritani, 3-Feb (5-Feb-10)
40th Vienna stage anniversary (see below) (2-Feb-10)
More reviews of "I Puritani" in Vienna: see the
Performance reviews page (1/2-Feb-10)
Contrary to previously available information, only the Valladolid concert has been cancelled, the Madrid concert will take place (31-Jan-10)
Review of the 30-Jan-10 Puritani (31-Jan-10)
Excerpt from review of the 25-Jan-10 "I Puritani" in Vienna can be found on the Performance reviews page (30-Jan-10)
Reviews of Norma in Mannheim, 16-Jan-10: 1 2 (18-Jan-10)
Interview on the occasion of the Norma in Mannheim (16-Jan-10)
Another review of the Paris concert (16-Jan-10)
The 8-May-10 concert in Braunschweig has been cancelled (7-Jan-10)
Barcelona recital broadcast on Norwegian radio on 12-Jan (with repeats): see Broadcasts (5-Jan-10)
Hungarian interview (23-Dec-09)
Reviews of the 17-Dec-09 aria concert in Paris: 1 2 3 4 (19/23-Dec-09)
Pictures of the 17-Dec-09 aria concert in Paris (18-Dec-09)
Reviews of the 12-Dec-09 aria concert in the Theater an der Wien: 1 2 3 (14-Dec-09)
More pictures of the 12-Dec-09 aria concert in the Theater an der Wien: 1 2 3 4 (13-Dec-09)
Article & picture gallery of the 12-Dec-09 aria concert in the Theater an der Wien (13-Dec-09)
A portrait in French (9-Dec-09)
Picture: concert in Oviedo, Oct-09 (8-Dec-09)
100. (and last) Vienna Zerbinetta was on 6-Dec (see below) (7-Dec-09)
Interview on Slovak TV channel playable from the archives (select #3) (26-Nov-09)
Review: The 20-Nov-09 Norma in Bratislava (23-Nov-09)
Another review of the Norma in Budapest (23-Nov-09)
Review of the Budapest Norma with lots of pictures (21-Nov-09)
Interview on the occasion of the "Norma" in Bratislava (19-Nov-09)
Reviews of the 16-Nov-09 Norma in Budapest: 1 2 (18/19-Nov-09)
Interview on the occasion of the "Norma" in Budapest (incl. mention of possible new role) (16-Nov-09)
Article on the occasion of the forthcoming "Norma" in Budapest (14-Nov-09)
Gruberova exhibition planned in the Österreichisches Theatermuseum (Vienna, 2010) (14-Nov-09)
Articles on the occasion of the "Norma" in Bratislava: 1 2 (13/14-Nov-09)
You can already order tickets for the Salzburg Norma (13-Nov-09)
The 4-Jun-10 "Lucrezia" in Dortmund will be within the framework of the Klangvokal Musikfestival (5-Nov-09)
Reviews of the recital in Luxembourg: 1 2 (29-Oct-09)
Article on the occasion of the forthcoming concert, in the magazine "Stagione" of Theater an der Wien (28-Oct-09)
Short excerpts from the Hamburg recital (25-Oct-09)
Reviews of the Hamburg recital: 1 2 (24-Oct-09)
"Lucrezia Borgia" has been issued on DVD, together with "The Art of Belcanto" (Oct/Nov-09)
More Oviedo reviews & pictures: 1 2 3 (14-Oct-09)
Review: Aria concert in Oviedo on 12-Oct (13-Oct-09)
Article on the occasion of the concert in Oviedo (11-Oct-09)
According to this page, E.G. will have a tour with the Münchner Rundfunkorchester in 2012 (28-Sep-09)
 
 
All the info contained herein is unofficial, unless otherwise noted. Your contributions are welcome.
(The news items are in reverse chronological order.)

  • 40th Vienna stage anniversary: Ms. Gruberova's Vienna State Opera debut was with the Queen of the Night, on 7-Feb-1970.
    The 40th anniversary was featured in the news on the ZDF channel on 2-Feb-10. You can watch/download the program from the archives (the news item includes interview and excerpts from I Puritani of 30-Jan-10). (The archives are available for a limited time only, so please hurry with the download.)
    here (starts at about 6:50)

  • Ms. Gruberova sang her 100th Zerbinetta in Vienna on 6-Dec-09. (She has sung this role more than 200 times all over the world.) 5 of the 100 performances in Vienna were in the "old" staging which last played in 1974, the rest of the performances were in the current staging which premiered in 1976 and that was when she became a star.
    During the curtain call of the 6-Dec-09 performance she announced to the audience that it had been her last Zerbinetta.

  • Ms. Gruberova has been awarded the Golden Medal of the Liceu (Barcelona), on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the reopening of the theatre. Related articles (in Catalan & Spanish):: 1 2 3

  • Ms. Gruberova was given the "Goldenes Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um das Land Wien" (Golden Order of Merit for Services to the Federal Province of Vienna) on 27-May-2009. Article with picture Other article

  • Ms. Gruberova has been awarded honorary membership by the IBS society of opera fans in Munich. The bestowal of the honorary membership took place in the course of a talk with the artist on 15-Feb-09. Picture gallery

  • An approx. 80-minute version of the documentary was shown in Cinema München on 8-Mar-09 (with a repeat on 28-Mar). More info
  • Documentary: The German firm "sounding images" has made a documentary on Edita Gruberova.
    More info on the film, and a "trailer": in English in German.
    (On the above pages you can find a link to a "trailer" i.e. a few minutes' preview of the film.)
    The documentary has won the Audience Award at the 45th International Television Festival "Golden Prague" (18-Jun-08)
    Brochure of the documentary

  • The German opera magazine "Opernglas" has published an article on the occasion of the 14-April-08 concert in Munich, where the Munich audience celebrated the artist's 40-year stage anniversary. Excerpt:
    Königin des Belcanto
    "Edita Gruberova feierte Mitte April in München ihr 40-jähriges Bühnenjubiläum; und Zweifel an jedem noch so elitären Qualitätssiegel für die Königin des Belcanto wischte die in vier Jahrzehnten beständiger Bühnenkarriere zu der bedeutendsten Koloratursopranistin ihrer Zeit gereifte Künstlerin schnell beiseite. Was Gruberova im Frühherbst ihrer Karriere, der noch viel eher einem ertragreichen Spätsommer gleicht, an exemplarischer Gesangskunst, gestalterischem Ausdruck und technisch nach wie vor atemberaubender Raffinesse über die Bühne bringt, hat längst singulären Rang erreicht. Ihre Auftritte in den bedeutendsten Musentempeln, die sie stets mit Bedacht und treuer Verbundenheit zu ihren Stammhäusern auswählt, genießen Kultcharakter, werden als Offenbarung der Belcanto-Kunst gefeiert und sind doch nie zu bloßen Society-Events verkommen. Die Gruberova bietet selten Häppchenkost, nutzt ihre Popularität vorbildlich für den Dienst an zum Teil zu Unrecht vergessenen Werken einer großen Epoche der Opernkunst."
    (by J.M. Wienecke)

  • Edita Gruberova has received the "Premio Musica e Teatro" award of the Lions Club Firenze (Italy). (See the list of previous awardees here.) The award was handed over to her by the Club's President, Dr. Vincenzo Recchi, in a ceremony in the Grand Hotel Villa Medici in Firenze, on 13-May-2008. In the ceremony, the chairman of the award commission, Dr. Fabrizio Borgioli, outlined the career of Edita Gruberova and presented excerpts from her recordings on video. The event was also the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ms. Gruberova's debut in Firenze. She has sung there in the following operas: Ariadne auf Naxos, Lucia di Lammermoor and Rigoletto.

  • At the curtain call after the March 1 performance of "Lucrezia", Ms. Gruberova's fans in Barcelona celebrated the artist's 40th stage anniversary and also the 30th anniversary of her Barcelona debut by throwing hundreds of "fliers" onto the stage from above. See it (and other events after the performance) on YouTube Another video of the "fliers" Yet another video with fliers and flowers, the beginning of the ovations, fliers, a funny "encore" at the end

  • Ms. Gruberova debuted in the title role of Donizetti's "Lucrezia Borgia" in the Liceu (Barcelona) on 22-Feb-2008. The opera was presented in concert form. The audience gave her a 30-minute standing ovation. See a part of the ovation (video). See the "Simply the best" sign
    Reviews:
    • Wordpress.com
    • Avui (in Catalan)
    • El Correo (in Spanish)
    • ABC.es (in Spanish)
    • El Periódico (in Spanish)
    • Excerpt from a review of the March 1 performance, from "Die Welt": " (...) Deren Kunst ist ja eigentlich keine emphatische, sondern eine elegische. Überwältigung und Empfindung entsteht bei ihr aus der mirakulösen Beherrschung sängerischer Mittel, besonders auch ihrer einzigartigen Kunst des Piano und des fil de voce, der kaum mehr hörbaren Töne, die sie zudem mühelos an- und abschwelle lassen kann. Solches setzt sie mit einem gewissen Manierismus als ihrem Markenzeichen ein; doch stehen solche Mittel schon seit längerem der gereiften Künstlerin auch als dramatische Akzentuierungen einer Rolle zur Verfügung. Nicht zuletzt bei Bellinis "Norma", mit der sie inzwischen erfolgreich den Ausdrucksgipfel ihres Fachs erklommen hat. "Und dabei ist die doch fast nur Mittellage", beschwichtig sie sich selbst. Gerade die ist bei Koloratursopranistinnen oft nicht sehr ausgeprägt.
      Die 61-jährige Edita Gruberova aber straft nicht nur mit Disziplin und Vokalfrische der Länge ihrer Karriere Lügen, sie war nun auch als zwischen Sohnesliebe und verletztem Stolz hin- und hergerissene Renaissance-Femme fatale unbedingt überzeugend. So veredelte sie diesen Belcanto-Reißer mit seinen innovativen Szenengefügen und seiner elegisch getragenen, nur selten knalligen Melodik mit mühelosen Nuancenreichtum und bewusst gesetzten Spitzentönen. Das hemmungslos begeisterte Publikum ließ sich besonders von der wissenden Zurückhaltung dieser souverän im Dienst der Rolle ausgestellten Kunst verzaubern. Es hagelte nicht nur 35 Minuten Applaus für die Gruberova (die damit den Liceu-Rekord von 28 Minuten brach, der ebenfalls von ihr gehalten wurde), es flatterten auch Transparente in den Rängen und es regnete bunte Zettel mit dem mehrsprachigen Aufdruck: "40 Jahre im Dienst der Oper! 30 Jahre Treue zum Liceu!". (...) " (Manuel Brug)

    Standing ovation from the 26-Feb performance (video). Other video
    Gruberova's effect on a very young fan

  • 40th stage anniversary: Ms. Gruberova made her stage debut in the role of Rosina in the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava in February 1968. We knew the exact date to be February 18, but, according to info recently received, it was actually February 19.
    (Also in Feb-2008: the 30th anniversary of her debut in the Liceu in Barcelona.)
    Tribute on the website of the Bavarian State Opera

  • Ms. Gruberova participated in the 90th birthday celebration of her singing teacher, Kammersängerin Ruthilde Boesch, on 12-Jan-08 in the Opera House in Vienna. She sang "Zueignung". You can read more about Ruthilde Boesch in the Jan-08 issue of Prolog (see page 19).

  • The November-07 issue of "Bühne" carries an article about Edita Gruberova, by Jürgen Kesting. Excerpt:
    "Es sind die Intensität der Phonation und die enorme Energie-Konzentration in der hohen und in der höchsten Lage, die der Stimme im Theater ihre Durchschlagkraft sichern und die Tragfähigkeit auch im Pianissimo. Die von der Atemsäule getragenen Töne "segeln" wie auf einem fliegenden Teppich selbst in die höchsten Ränge. Dass sie ihre Studio-Aufnahmen mit den in letzten fünfzehn Jahren entstandenen Mitschnitten - zu erwähnen sind weiter Bellinis Sonnambula und Rossinis Semiramide (die letzte prunkvolle Barock-Oper!) - überboten hat, liegt zum einen daran, dass die Stimme sich im Raum besser entfaltet, und harmonischer klingt, zum anderen daran, dass sie farbiger geworden ist und mehr Modulationen erlaubt. Endlich daran, dass sie sich eine geradezu phänomenale dynamische Flexibilität erarbeitet hat. Sie zeigt, dass eine Dramaturgie der Dynamik unendlich viel wirkungsvoller ist als ständiger Forte-Hochdruck. "Je lauter die anderen singen", hat sie einmal gesagt, "desto leiser werde ich." Und sie weiß, dass die verringerte Dynamik die erhöhte Aufmerksamkeit der Hörer findet, sie erzwingt. Mit der Rolle der Norma hat Edita Gruberová den Kreis ihrer einzigartigen Karriere ausgeschritten."

  • According to the website of Deutsche Grammophon, "Ariadne auf Naxos", previously available only on videotape, was released on DVD in October 2007.

  • Articles on the occasion of Ms. Gruberova's 60th birthday:
       
    • Links to (and excerpts from) articles in the German press  
       
    • Slovak article  
       
    • In the December/January issue of the newsletter "Stretta" of Freunde der Wiener Staatsoper, Dr. Peter Dusek writes:
       
      "(...) 1976 sang die damals 30-jährige Sopranistin aus Bratislava ihre erste Zerbinetta unter Karl Böhm. Ab diesem Zeitpunkt war sie "Die Gruberova";
      (...) Mit höchster Selbstdisziplin und einer unvergleichlichen Technik zieht sie von Erfolg zu Erfolg, begeistert die Zuschauer, versetzt sie in Hypnose und vollbringt immer wieder das, was ein unwiderlegliches Indiz für ganz große Opernkunst ist: Sie verwandelt die Bühne zu einem Ort der "magischen Verzauberung".
      Happy Birthday und "ad multos annos"! "

       
      Unofficial English translation:
      " (...) In 1976 the then 30-year-old soprano from Bratislava sang her first Zerbinetta under Karl Böhm. From then on she has been "The Gruberova".
      (...) With rigorous self-discipline and a matchless technique she goes from success to success, delights the audience, throws them into hypnosis, and accomplishes again and again what is a sure sign of the greatest operatic art: transforms the stage into a place of "magical enchantment".
      Happy Birthday and "ad multos annos"! "

    • Interview (Berliner Morgenpost)

  • The new Norma film in German cinemas:
    In January 2007 the "Norma" film was shown in several German cinemas, within the framework of "Klassik im Kino".
     
    Edita Gruberova, Zoran Todorovich, Jürgen Rose and Sir Peter Jonas attended the film's Munich premiere on 14-Jan. Excerpt from a review:
    "An jedem ersten Sonntag im Monat wird um 10.30 Uhr eine Oper präsentiert. Den Auftakt machte Vincenzo Bellinis „Norma“ in der Inszenierung von Jürgen Rose an der Bayerischen Staatsoper. Unangefochtener Star ist Primadonna Edita Gruberova, ihre Präsenz ein Garant für ausverkaufte Säle – auch im Kino. So hat sie neben Jürgen Rose und ihrem Bühnenpartner Zoran Todorovich den Weg ins Cinema gefunden, wo die Künstler zunächst über ihre Norma-Erfahrungen plaudern. Das Publikum ist begeistert, seinen Bühnenidolen ganz nah sein zu können. Immerhin sitzen die drei mitten im Parkett. In der Pause bildet sich eine Autogramm-Schlange. Viele haben die Produktion bereits im Nationaltheater gesehen. Doch Brian Larges Opern-Verfilmung zeigt alles noch einmal in Großaufnahme, und auch die Klangqualität ist erstaunlich. Schon während der Vorführung brandet Szenenapplaus auf. Abschließend kennen die Ovationen kein Halten mehr." (Georg Kasch in Abendzeitung)

  • After weeks of illness which had forced her to cancel performances, Ms. Gruberova sang "Lucia di Lammermoor" in the Liceu (Barcelona) on December 1, 2006, and got a 15-minute standing ovation.
    Here is a snippet from the "Lucia" (scroll down to '"Lucia di Lammermoor" amb Edita Gruberova' or download the clip directly here).

  • The 1983 Vienna State Opera telecast of Massenet's "Manon" has been issued on DVD by Deutsche Grammophon. With Francisco Araiza as Des Grieux, Ádám Fischer conducting.
    More info

  • In a poll of the Hungarian classical music e-zine Café Momus the 10-Sep-05 concert performance of "Roberto Devereux" in the Palace of Arts in Budapest has gained the most votes in the category "Musical event of the year 2005".

  • The 16-Sep-06 performance of "Roberto Devereux" in the Vienna State Opera was broadcast live to the Herbert von Karajan-Platz, which is next to the building of the opera house. Source of info: Homepage of the Vienna State Opera

  • Excerpts from a 1984 Salzburg recital, of works of Mozart, has been released on the Orfeo label (catalogue number: C 709062 I). The accompanist is Irwin Gage. The double CD also contains excerpts from recitals by other singers. More details about the CD; More details about the performance

  • A 1976 live Salzburg recording of Mozart's "Der Schauspieldirektor" has been released on the Orfeo label (catalogue number: C 705061 B). Edita Gruberova sings the role of Mme Herz, Krisztina Laki is Mademoiselle Silberklang, Thomas Moser is Monsieur Vogelsang, Leopold Hager conducts. More details about the performance
    (The CD also contains "Bastien & Bastienne" featuring Ileana Cotrubas.)

  • An earlier recording of two Bach cantatas (No.51 and No.199) has been released on SACD (Super Audio CD) on the Capriccio label (CAP71078). Edita Gruberova is accompanied by the Deutsche Bachsolisten, Helmut Winschermann (cond.). (The SACD also contains another Bach cantata sung by Siegfried Lorenz.)

  • The Munich production of Donizetti's "Roberto Devereux" has been released on DVD by Deutsche Grammophon (June 2006). Cast: Edita Gruberova (Elisabetta), Roberto Aronica (Roberto), Jeanne Piland (Sara), Albert Schagidullin (Nottingham); conducted by Friedrich Haider.

  • Rigoletto has been re-relesed on DVD by Deutsche Grammophon

  • The March 2006 issue of the Austrian magazine "Bühne" has a Gruberova interview, on the occasion of "I Puritani" in Vienna.

  • New Lieder CD titled "From Heart to Heart":
    A Lieder CD has been issued on Nightingale Classics, for the benefit of the Cleft-Children International foundation.
    The CD contains Lieder and duets by Dvorák, Schumann and Brahms, performed by Edita Gruberova, Argentinean baritone Iván Paley and Friedrich Haider (piano). Details
    The CD is already available in some shops like the Arcadia shop in the Wiener Staatsoper.

  • Norma has been recorded for TV/DVD in Munich. The recording was telecast on Bayerisches Fernsehen on 3-Sep-2006. More info
    It has been issued on DVD by Deutsche Grammophon (January 2007). Details

  • The "Cosi fan tutte" video has been released on DVD by Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Ms. Gruberova's stage debut in the role of Norma was on 21-Jan-2006 in Munich. Click here for further info.

  • The January 2006 "Opernglas" has an exclusive Gruberova interview with pictures. You can read the text here and see the cover online.

  • Edita Gruberova sang her 200th Zerbinetta in Vienna on 1-Dec-2005.
    "Manchmal wird man als Kritiker der Musik zu einem solchen der Medizin und fragt sich, sehr laienhaft natürlich, wie es möglich ist, dass eine Sängerin 200 Mal die extrem hohe und anspruchsvolle Partie der Zerbinetta in Richard Strauss` "Ariadne auf Naxos" gibt, ohne dass die Stimme Schaden erleidet. Bei wem das anatomische Phänomen zu beobachten ist? Nur bei Edita Gruberova." (G. Korentschnig in Kurier)
    She sang her first Zerbinetta in 1973 in Vienna, and the new Vienna production of 1976 made her a star. She still sings the role in the same staging in Vienna.
    Reviews of the recent run are linked to the Performance reviews page.

  • According to the website of the Vienna State Opera, the 5-Nov-2005 gala has been released on CD & DVD.

  • Deutsche Grammophon has re-released the "Hänsel und Gretel" video on DVD.

  • Ms. Gruberova has won the "Echo Klassik 2005" Award of the German record critics in the category of 19th-century operas, for her recording of Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" (on the Nightingale Classics label). Details (in German)

  • Niel Rishoi's biography of Edita Gruberova has been issued in Slovak as well. Publisher: Slovart. ISBN: 80-8085-041-0. Related article (in Slovak)

  • Deutsche Grammophon has issued the live Munich "Zauberflöte" on DVD. Previously it was issued only on VHS, and on DVD only in Japan.

  • There has been a photo exhibition titled "Queens of coloratura" in Zvolen Castle, Slovakia, with photos of Lucia Popp and Edita Gruberova. The opening was on 30-Jun-2005. More info

  • TDK has released the 1982 Salzburg recording of "Die Zauberflöte" on DVD. Details

  • Ms. Gruberova was "Artist in Residence" in the Dortmund Konzerthaus in the 2005/06 season.

  • In a recently published book about the Russian soprano Anna Netrebko (Gregor Dolak: "Anna Netrebko - Opernstar der neuen Generation"), statements were made about Ms. Gruberova's alleged conflict with Ms. Netrebko. Those statements are completely false. The book was not authorized by Ms. Netrebko, who has explicitly said in an interview (in "Welt am Sonntag") that the statements about the conflict are false. You can read Netrebko's interview here.

  • The Fan Page has been mentioned in an article written on the occasion of the "Beatrice di Tenda" performances in Hamburg, in "Hamburger Abendblatt".

  • The Norma CD has been issued by Nightingale.

  • Honorary doctorate: Ms. Gruberova has received the degree "Doctor honoris causa" from the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Bratislava. The ceremony was on 16-Feb-2005 in the Pálffy Palace in Bratislava. Photos

  • Austrian award: Ms. Gruberova has been awarded the "Großes Ehrenzeichen für die Verdienste um die Republik Österreich". The award was handed to her on 3-Feb-2005 by Dr. Heinz Fischer, the President of the Republic. Picture

  • Interviews: Ms. Gruberova has given an interview to "Kronen Zeitung" in which she reveals that she plans to sing "Lucrezia Borgia" in Munich and Barcelona. In the same interview she mentions that she will sing in "Ariadne auf Naxos", "Roberto Devereux" and "I Puritani" in Vienna. "Roberto Devereux" is also planned for Japan (Vienna Staatsoper tour in 2008). The interview was printed in the 6-Jan-2005 issue of the newspaper.
    Another interview (Kurier, 13-Jan-2005) reveals that she will sing Zerbinetta the 200th time (in the Richard Strauss opera "Ariadne auf Naxos") in November in Vienna.

  • News from Vienna: Ms. Gruberova participated in the New Year's Eve performance of "Fledermaus" (as Orlovsky's special guest) and sang Alabieff's "Nachtigall". (Jan-2005)

  • "I Puritani" on DVD: The 2001 Barcelona performance of Bellini's "I Puritani", with Gruberova as Elvira, has been released by TDK. More info

  • Open letter and
    interview about the planned disbanding of the Münchner Rundfunkorchester
    (in German)

  • Fledermaus on DVD: The 1980 Vienna telecast of "Die Fledermaus", with Gruberova as Adele, has been released by TDK. More info

  • The recent Japan tour:
    Article (in German) with picture (Donna Anna)
    Other article (in German)
    Excerpt from another article (in German)

    New CDs:

  • Nightingale Classics has released "Il Barbiere di Siviglia".
  • The Orfeo CD label has issued a 1980 Salzburg recital of Schubert, Mendelssohn and R. Strauss songs, with accompanists Erik Werba (piano) and Peter Schmidl (clarinet). See the Discography for details of the CD.
  • The Orfeo CD label has issued a 1982 Salzburg broadcast of "Ariadne auf Naxos" (with Tomowa-Sintow as Ariadne). See details in the Discography.
    Note: If you search for this CD in an online shop, please be aware that Tomowa-Sintow's name has been abbreviated to "Tomowa-S." in the catalogs.

  • Edita Gruberova has won the 2004 "Merkur Theaterpreis", for her portrayal of Elisabetta in Donizetti's "Roberto Devereux".
    The other winners of this year's prize are actress Sunnyi Melles and cabaret artist Bruno Jonas.
    This award has been established by the Munich newspaper "Münchner Merkur" and it is given to artists who get the most votes from readers.
    Interview on the occasion (in German)

  • There is a long interview with Edita Gruberova in the 2004 yearbook of the Bavarian State Opera. The title of the book is "Oper Aktuell". The interviewer is Kevin Clarke.
    More details and ordering info at the publisher's website
    The book can also be ordered online from the webshop of the Bavarian State Opera.

  • Edita Gruberova celebrated her 200th performance of "Lucia di Lammermoor" in Berlin in May 2004. Interview on the occasion (attention: plans for new roles are also revealed!) (in German)
    You can see pictures on the website of Deutsche Oper Berlin
    News article on a French opera site

  • Edita Gruberova gave her European debut in the role of Norma in Baden-Baden on 24-Apr-2004, in a concert performance. Reviews (in German):
    • Opernglas
    • Opernwelt
    • Online Musik Magazin
    • DPA (the same article is also available here)
    • Die Welt
    • Pforzheimer Zeitung
    • Excerpt from the review in Badische Zeitung (the full article is available in the printed version or online to subscribers):
      "(...) alles gelingt - es ist phänomenal. Nach wie vor bezwingt das unerhörte Leuchten, in das dieses unverkennbare Timbre die von Verdi so bewunderten "langen, langen Melodien" taucht, ist es der Hauch von einem dennoch klingenden Pianissimo, der einen zweimal hinhören lässt, ob's denn auch wirklich wahr ist.
      Nach wie vor auch dieses unnachahmliche Ineinandergleiten der Töne und Phrasen, ihr traumhaft beherrschtes An- und Abschwellen, dieses unendliche Legato, das eigentlich ein immer währendes Glissando auf und ab darstellt, diese aufregenden Verzierungsabenteuer auf engstem Raum und auch bei angezogenen Tempi. Und immer noch: keine Angestrengtheit, keine Schärfen. Gewiss ist das die lyrischste Norma-Ausgabe, die denkbar ist. Anders gewendet: eine - allerdings raumgreifende - Lyrikerin, die die Aura des Dramatischen eher per Stimmhaltung suggeriert, als dass sie auf groen Ton setzte.
      "
    • Related interview in "Der Neue Merker"

  • The new "Roberto Devereux" production in Munich:

  • Barcelona prize: Edita Gruberova and Adrianne Pieczonka have jointly won the critics' prize for best female opera singer of the 2002/3 season, for their performance in "Ariadne auf Naxos" in the Liceu. More info (in Catalan).

  • Edita Gruberova has recently received the President's Cross in Slovakia. More info & picture.

  • A Gruberova exhibition can be viewed until 31-Oct-03 in the building of the Slovak Philharmonic in Bratislava. Related article / interview

  • On the occasion of the new "Lucia di Lammermoor" CD, there have been interviews published in the (free) magazines "Rondo Magazin" (03/2002) and "KlassikAkzente" (02/2002). Unfortunately the interviews are not available at the magazines' websites.

  • The Orfeo CD label has issued a Henze CD (C 609 031 B), with Edita Gruberova performing "Cantata della fiaba estrema". The recording was made at the Salzburg Festival in 1975. On the CD it is paired with "Novae de infinto laudes" (1972, with Edda Moser and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau). You can view the CD cover at this site.
    The "Beatrice di Tenda" DVD has also been issued.

  • On 25-Jun-2003 Vienna celebrated Edita Gruberova's 25th anniversary in the role of Lucia in the Staatsoper. To honor the occasion, the Staatsoper has mounted an exhibition in its Gustav Mahler-Saal. Related articles (in German, except where noted):

  • In the Coloratura discussion group, a poll has been conducted over which sopranos should be chosen for the "Three Sopranos" (soprano equivalent of the "Three Tenors"). Edita Gruberova got the most votes. See detailed results.

  • The new recording of "Lucia di Lammermoor" has been issued by Nightingale Classics. Details. The CD was recorded in 2002. The release of this recording marks the 25th anniversary of Gruberova's Vienna debut in this role.
    You can order the CD in the jpc.de & amazon.de online shops (and probably in others, too).

  • On 21-Apr-2003 Edita Gruberova made her debut in the title role of Bellini's "Norma" in Tokyo, at a concert, with great success.

  • Edita Gruberova debuted in February 1968 as Rosina in Rossini's "Il barbiere di Siviglia". Her 35-year anniversary in this role was celebrated at the performance of 1-Feb-2003 in Munich.
    An account of the "Barbiere" performance of Jan. 23 (which included a sustained high F) (from the Coloratura discussion list)

  • The 1996 Zurich performance of "Linda di Chamounix" (with Deon van der Walt, Armando Ariostini, László Polgár; Ádám Fischer conducting) has been issued on DVD. You can order the DVD in some online shops, like crotchet.co.uk, amazon.co.uk, amazon.de.

  • Nightingale Classics has issued a CD titled "Siente Me - Popular Avenues" which includes two new "crossover" songs. More info. More info (in German) More info (in German) Review (in German)

  • Ms. Gruberova has cancelled her "Maria Stuarda" performances in Zurich. Here is her official statement about the cancellation (26-Nov-02):
     
    Frau Gruberova hat ihre Mitwirkung an der Produktion von Donizettis "Maria Stuarda" sowie alle künftigen Projekte am Opernhaus Zürich unwiderruflich abgesagt. Ihre Tochter, die ebendort im Engagement gestanden hatte, erlitt während einer Vorstellung einen Unfall, der auf mangelnde Sicherheitsvorkehrungen seitens des Vertragsgebers zurückzuführen ist. Da dies eine fahrlässige Körperverletzung darstellt, sieht Frau Gruberova sich nicht in der Lage, unter dem bestehenden Führungsteam weitere Auftritte als Sängerin zu absolvieren.  

    Unofficial English translation:
    Ms. Gruberova has irrevocably cancelled her participation in the production of Donizetti's Maria Stuarda, as well as all future projects at the Zurich Opera House. Her daughter, who was professionally engaged at that very same place, suffered an accident during a performance, which can be attributed to the inadequate safety precautions of the contractors. As this physical injury was caused by negligence, Ms. Gruberova cannot see her way to complete further appearances as a singer under the present management.
     
    The "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" about the cancellation
     
    Further (official) statement from Ms. Gruberova (5-Dec-02):
     
    Beim Unfall meiner Tochter im März 2001 am Opernhaus Zürich handelt es sich um einen Sturz in 2-3 Meter Tiefe auf Beton, aus einer fahrenden und ungesicherten(!) Bodenversenkung. Die Folge waren Verletzungen verschiedenster Art und ein schwerer Schock, den meine Tochter mit fortgesetzter Arbeit als Choreographin zu überwinden versuchte. Da Ausmaß und Folge dieser Katastrophe zu diesem Zeitpunkt noch nicht abzusehen war, habe auch ich aus Pflichtbewußtsein noch zwei weitere Produktionen absolviert. Im September 2001 verschlechterte sich der Zustand meiner Tochter derart, daß sie sich gezwungen sah, jegliche Arbeit niederzulegen. Sie leidet heute an Spätfolgen (Unfalltrauma und starke körperliche Schmerzen), ist zu 100% arbeitsunfähig und auf 46 kg abgemagert! Für mich als MUTTER ist dies ein wohl jedermann verständiger Grund, endlich(!) die Konsequenz zu ziehen, und auf weitere Tätigkeiten am Opernhaus Zürich zu verzichten. Es sei erwähnt, daß eine Kollegin noch heute an den Spätfolgen eines Feuerunfalls zu leiden hat und auch ich selbst vor nicht allzu langer Zeit beinahe Unfallopfer auf Grund eines mangelhaft gesicherten Stufengeländers geworden wäre!
    Edita Gruberova
     

    Unofficial English translation:
    My daughter's accident in March 2001 at the Zurich Opera concerned a fall of about 2-3 metres onto concrete, from a stage trap door left open and unsecured. Various injuries and severe shock resulted, which my daughter strove to overcome by continuing to work as a choreographer. The extent and consequences of this catastrophic accident could not be seen at this time, and being conscious of my duty I even completed two additional productions. In September 2001 the condition of my daughter deteriorated to such an extent, that she was forced to stop all work. At present she is suffering from the delayed effects of the traumatic accident and physical injuries. She is absolutely (100%) unfit for work and has lost considerable weight, being presently down to only 46 kg. For myself as a mother, this is a completely reasonable ground, that perhaps everyone can understand, to finally (!) to decide to cut one's losses, and renounce further participation with the Zurich Opera. It should be mentioned, that a colleague of mine is still presently suffering from the delayed consequences of an accident involving fire (at the Zurich Opera), and I myself, was all too recently almost the victim of an accident, which would have been due to an inadequately secured banister on a stair case.  

  • There has been an interesting thread on the Coloratura discussion forum concerning the problems of recording Gruberova's voice.

  • On 4-Oct-2002 Ms. Gruberova participated in a benefit gala (to help flood victims) in the Hamburg State Opera.

  • For the benefit of the flood victims in Austria, Ms. Gruberova has auctioned off a concert gown of hers online. Details (in German) at http://www.onetwosold.at/default.asp?f=1&OfferID=4469870

  • The September 2002 issue of Opernwelt has a 4-page Gruberova interview.

  • Communication from Nightingale Classics: Nightingale has been receiving complaints that some of its titles are not available in certain countries or are out of stock. Nightingale wishes to emphasize that it does not restrict the availability of any of its CDs in any country, and all CDs in its catalog are always in stock, available to all distributors. If you find that a particular CD is not available in a particular shop, it is the result of the shop's decision, not that of Nightingale Classics. If you are informed otherwise, please contact Nightingale at mail@nightingaleclassics.com.

  • The "Semiramide" CD has been included in the latest quarterly list of the Prize of the German Record Critics. More info.

  • There is a new, Italian edition of the 1987 La Scala Don Giovanni on DVD, and the price is only 9.99 euro (plus postage). More info at http://www.elleu.com/musica/scheda_prodotto.asp?id=467. Note: they allegedly cannot sell the DVD outside Italy.
    The webpage doesn't list the singers, but the video is really of the Gruberova-Allen-Murray-Desderi performance, which has already been issued on DVD at a much higher price.
    (If you read Italian: there was a review of this DVD in the newsgroup it.arti.musica.classica.mod. You can look it up in the archive of groups.google.com .)

  • News from Nightingale Classics: The replacement CDs are ready for the two faulty CDs in the "Semiramide" CD set. If you want your CDs replaced, please go to the website of Nightingale Classics for further info.

  • One of the songs from the Edita Gruberova / Toni Stricker CD "Dialog" has been used by Maximilian Schell in his new film. More info (in German)

  • The Zurich production of Beatrice di Tenda has been recorded for video and released commercially on DVD.

  • A book under the title "Wiener Staatsoper - Ein Blick hinter die Kulissen" has been issued, with Gruberova's foreword and her photo (as Elisabetta in "Roberto Devereux") on the cover. More info.

  • The 2001 yearbook of the Vienna State Opera (issued by the Freunde der Wiener Staatsoper) contains a Gruberova interview and several pictures. More info.

  • French fan Yann Manchon has established forumGRUBEROVA, an Internet discussion group about the art of Edita Gruberova. The forum is moderated, and the archive is available only to members. The main language is French, but you can post in any language.
    Info about the group in French, English and German: http://www.ifrance.com/forumGRUBEROVA/.
    You can subscribe by sending an e-mail to forumGRUBEROVA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. To unsubscribe, send mail to forumGRUBEROVA-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.
    Members can also access the archives through the English-language interface of Yahoo at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/forumGRUBEROVA.
    The forum exists independently of this Fan Page.

  • Gruberova's biography in the programme booklet of the Zurich "Beatrice di Tenda" production mentions that she will sing "Norma" in a concert performance, in the Vienna State Opera in 2005.

  • For the benefit of mobile phone users, a condensed form of Gruberova's schedule is available in WAP form at http://www.gruberova.com/index.wml. (For using the page, a WAP-compatible mobile phone or a WAP emulator is required.)
    This is probably the first singer schedule in the world which is available in WAP form.

  • A compilation CD has been issued with excertps from live performances of the Graz Opera. It contains two excerpts from Gruberova's 1975 "Lucia di Lammermoor": the Sextet and the first half of the Mad Scene. The title of the CD is "Sternstunden des Belcanto".

  • Ms. Gruberova supports the choir school of the Wiener Sängerknaben. Not only boys but also girls will be admitted to this school. Related articles:

  • Sir Peter Jonas, the intendant of the Bavarian State Opera, has announced that Ms. Gruberova is scheduled to sing Norma there in 2006 (in a staged version).

  • A French book titled "Divas", by Agnès Gerhards, has been issued. It is about (operatic) divas, Gruberova among them. More info.

  • This website has been mentioned in the November 2000 issue of the American opera magazine "Opera News".
    (Click on the above link to see the full article about singers' websites.)

  • On 4-Sep-2000 in Zurich and on 15-Sep-2000 in Basel, Gruberova gave benefit concerts for SOS Children's Villages (a charity organization for children).

  • An excerpt from the Munich radio broadcast of I Puritani can be found at http://www.operastudio.it/operamp3.htm (please scroll down in that page to "I Puritani").

  • Gruberova has been given the prestigious Bavarian award "Maximiliansorden".More info

  • Gruberova celebrated her 30th Staatsoper anniversary on Feb. 5. 2000, in the Wiener Staatsoper (she sang Elvira in I Puritani).
    Related newspaper articles:

  • A book titled "Divas... In Their Own Words" has been published. Gruberova is one of the interviewed singers. More info.

  • Gruberova won the prestigious Italian Bellini d'oro award in 1999. She was given the award at a gala performance. See pictures of the event.

  • Gruberova has won the "Echo-Schallplattenpreis", the classical music award of the Deutsche Phono-Akademie. The award was presented to her in a gala in Weimar on 17-Oct-99.

  • The Japanese version of the biography written by Niel Rishoi has been issued (March 1999). ISBN: 4-276-21775-X. Publisher: Ongaku-no Tomosha.

  • Classical Singer Magazine (a U.S. publication) has conducted a "most communicative contemporary singer" poll on the Internet. Gruberova got the 2nd place (behind José Carreras).

  • Excerpts from Gruberova's Donizetti opera recordings have been included in a CD compilation of operatic prayers, issued by a church. More info

  • "Singers in roles" poll in Japan:
    The Japanese quarterly opera magazine "Grand Opera" recently asked 16 famous Japanese music critics to vote which singers are/were the best in certain roles.
    Gruberova's Queen of the Night got 11 votes (while all other performers got 1 vote each).

  • Gruberova celebrated her 30th stage anniversary (18-Feb-98), with the same role (Rosina) in which she had made her stage debut.

  • The live Don Giovanni video in which Gruberova is Donna Anna, is one of the first opera videos released on DVD (Digital Video Disc).

  • Edita Gruberova has been nominated "Female Singer of the Year" by 53 critics in a poll organised by the OpernWelt magazine (1997).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Last updated: 29-Jul-2010