Alfredo Kraus

Alfredo Kraus

Alfredo Kraus Trujillo (24 November 1927 – 10 September 1999) was a distinguished Spanish tenor from the Canary Islands (known professionally as Alfredo Kraus), particularly known for the artistry he brought to opera's bel canto roles. He was also considered an outstanding interpreter of the title role in Massenet's opera Werther, and especially of its famous aria, "Pourquoi me réveiller?" Kraus was born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. His father was Austrian and his mother was Spanish. He began his musical career with piano lessons at the age of four, and he sang in the school choir by age eight. His older brother, Francisco Kraus Trujillo, a baritone, studied music and opera alongside him. After refining his technique singing Spanish zarzuela on stage in Madrid and Barcelona, Kraus made his professional opera debut in Cairo during 1956 as the Duke in Rigoletto, which became one of his signature roles. In 1958, he sang Alfredo at the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon in a production of La traviata with Maria Callas, a live recording of which was later released. Kraus made his Covent Garden debut as Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor in 1959 and his La Scala debut as Elvino in La sonnambula in 1960. He made his American debut with Lyric Opera of Chicago in 1962, and his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1966 in Rigoletto, the role of his last performance there in 1994. In subsequent decades, Kraus extended his repertoire to include more Italian operas such as Lucrezia Borgia, La fille du régiment, Linda di Chamounix, Don Pasquale and La favorita by Donizetti; and French operas such as Roméo et Juliette, Les contes d'Hoffmann, Faust and Lakmé, while continuing to sing his hallmark roles of Werther and of Des Grieux in Manon. He also recorded a number of rarely performed French operas including La jolie fille de Perth and Les pêcheurs de perles, both by Georges Bizet, and La muette de Portici by Daniel Auber. He also performed in some very well known works, such as Don Giovanni and Faust. Kraus came to be virtually synonymous with such lyric tenor roles as Werther, Faust, Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Nemorino, and Arturo. He was also known for his performances of Spanish music, notably many classics from the zarzuela repertoire, which he continued to perform live on stage in Spain until the end of his career, and many of which he recorded complete for EMI Spain as well as for his own label, Carillon. Thanks to his superlative technique and careful husbanding of his vocal resources, Kraus sang onstage until his early 70s. He studied voice technique in Milan with Mercedes Llopart. Kraus was also noted for extremely refined musicianship, accompanied by a seemingly effortless high register. As a result, many opera connoisseurs consider him to be one of the best tenors of the end of the 20th century. He was admired for his cultivated musical education and his complete respect for his chosen profession. His first priority was the integrity of his artistic interpretation of a piece, rather than his formidable range and excellent technique. ... Source: Article "Alfredo Kraus" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

  • Title: Alfredo Kraus
  • Popularity: 1.809
  • Known For: Acting
  • Birthday: 1927-11-24
  • Place of Birth: Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
  • Homepage:
  • Also Known As:
img

Alfredo Kraus Movies

  • 1959
    imgMovies

    Gayarre

    Gayarre

    1 1959 HD

    The film is a biography of the tenor Julian Gayarre who was born in 1843 in a small village in Navarra, Spain, and who soon demonstrated his great...

    img
  • 1983
    imgMovies

    Lucia di Lammermoor

    Lucia di Lammermoor

    1 1983 HD

    This telecast offers a rare opportunity to see the legendary Joan Sutherland in the role that first catapulted her to international stardom. She...

    img
  • 1986
    imgMovies

    Lucia di Lammermoor

    Lucia di Lammermoor

    1 1986 HD

    1986 production of Donizetti's opera at the Teatro Regio in Parma.

    img
  • 1987
    imgMovies

    Rigoletto

    Rigoletto

    1 1987 HD

    Kraus - Nucci - Serra - Pertusi - Vespasiani ... Chour du Théâtre Regio de Parme Orchestre Symphonique dell'Emilia Romagna "Arturo...

    img
  • 1989
    imgMovies

    Rigoletto

    Rigoletto

    1 1989 HD

    Teatro de la Zarzuela 1989

    img
  • 1979
    imgMovies

    Don Pasquale

    Don Pasquale

    1 1979 HD

    This John Dexter production, designed by Desmond Heeley, was a parting gift to the great American soprano Beverly Sills, who bid farewell to the Met...

    img
  • 1983
    imgMovies

    The Metropolitan Opera Centennial Gala

    The Metropolitan Opera Centennial Gala

    1 1983 HD

    In celebration of its 100th anniversary in 1983, the Metropolitan Opera hosts a four-hour performance uniting some of the world's most spellbinding...

    img
  • 1986
    imgMovies

    Faust

    Faust

    1 1986 HD

    Live 1987 performance featuring Kraus in one of his signature roles, ably supported by a strong cast. Alfredo Kraus, Nicola Ghiuselev, Ana Maria...

    img
  • 1989
    imgMovies

    Alfredo Kraus - Concert in Buenos Aires (Teatro Colon)

    Alfredo Kraus - Concert in Buenos Aires (Teatro Colon)

    1 1989 HD

    Alfredo Kraus - Concert in Buenos Aires (Teatro Colon)

    img
  • 1984
    imgMovies

    Alfredo Kraus - Concert in Madrid (Teatro Real)

    Alfredo Kraus - Concert in Madrid (Teatro Real)

    1 1984 HD

    Alfredo Kraus - Concert in Madrid (Teatro Real)

    img
  • 2003
    imgMovies

    Alfredo Kraus in Concert

    Alfredo Kraus in Concert

    1 2003 HD

    Acclaimed Spanish-Austrian tenor Alfredo Kraus visits a 19th-century palace and performs a selection of songs among its splendid rooms, using their...

    img
  • 2004
    imgMovies

    Alfredo Kraus, Ruggero Raimondi and Katia Ricciarelli in Concert

    Alfredo Kraus, Ruggero Raimondi and Katia Ricciarelli in Concert

    1 2004 HD

    This tour-de-force concert event showcases opera luminaries Alfredo Kraus, Ruggero Raimondi and Katia Ricciarelli performing arias and other songs,...

    img
  • 1988
    imgMovies

    The Tales of Hoffmann - Teatro Regio di Parma, 1988

    The Tales of Hoffmann - Teatro Regio di Parma, 1988

    1 1988 HD

    "Despite the multitude of characters and situations, the plot is simple: the eternal flow of life. It is based on Les contes fantastiques...

    img
  • 1987
    imgS11 E23

    Le monde est à vous

    Le monde est à vous

    1 1987 HD

    img