Соломія Крушельницька

Solomiya Krushelnytska was a Ukrainian soprano, born on 23 September, 1873 in the village of Bielawińce, Galicia, Austria-Hungary. Krushelnytska is considered to be one of the brightest opera stars of the first half of the 20th century and one of the most beautiful dramatic soprano voices on record. Her voice had strength and a dusky tone coupled with a mastery of phrasing.

She had a remarkable career. It was rumored Krushelnytska could learn a part of a new opera in two days, and develop the character of a role in another three or four. In 1902 she won the hearts of Parisians in Lohengrin. In 1906 she enchanted the audience at Milan’s La Scala in Richard Strauss’s Salome conducted by Arturo Toscanini. Her rendition of the title role of the Brescia Madama Butterfly in 1904 contributed to Butterfly’s ission to the world repertoire. In addition, she created the role of Salome at La Scala’s premiere in 1907 as well as the role of Elektra in 1909. She also sang at the world premiere of Romani’s Fedra (1915). At the height of her fame Solomia Krushelnytska left the opera stage (1915) and devoted herself to concert activity. The singer always included Ukrainian folk song in her repertoire as well as the works of Ukrainian composers. She was to settle in Milan, but in 1939 returned to her homeland and settled in Lviv, Western Ukraine. She taught at the conservatory in Lviv, where she had begun her illustrious career.