A Tribute to Operatic Tenor Nicolai Gedda (1925-2017)

Nicolai Gedda is born on 1925 to a Swedish mother and half-Russian father. Spend his childhood in Stockholm, he has Harry Gustav Nikolai Gädda as the birth name. His involvement as a tenor in operas has made his name respected in the history of classical music. He has recorded his singing as having beauty tone, great technique, and outstanding musical perception.

Reported in The Guardian, Gedda has breathed his last on Jan. 8, 2017 at the age 91. His death is confirmed caused by heart attack. His family just announced the death on Feb. 9, 2017. He rests for eternity at his home in Tolochenaz in the Swiss canton of Vaud.

Gedda has shown his incredibility in singing when started his career at the age of 26. He made his debut in 1952 at the Royal Swedish Opera by taking the role as Chapelou in Le postillon de Lonjumeau by Adolphe Adam. He presented at the time Mes amis, ѐcoutez I'histoire that have proven to be having difficult tenor arias.

Fascinated by that performance, English classical producer Walter Legge pointed out his interest for Gedda. Legge was then recruited him to sing as Dmitry in Musorgsky's Boris Godunov. Two years later, he widely expanded his career. It is thanks to Herbert von Karajan, he succeeded in making his debut in Italy. By then he performed at La Scala, Milan as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni by Mozart.

In the following years, Gedda has gained his name internationally. His skills in different languages have also expedited his worldwide career. Noted in Slipped Disc that during his career, Gedda has produced about 200 recordings and has collaborated with other famous singers.

Classical Music affirmed that this obituary is valid, unlike the case happened two years ago. What is left now is only the recording of Gedda's beautiful and charismatic tenor. Recording operas by Puccini and Mozart is the last work in his career. He retired from singing at the age of 77.

Find out more about the classical artist here!

TagsNicolai Gedda, Tenor, Operas