Famed Austrian soprano Ruthhilde Boesch dies at 94

The Associated Press 9:06 AM Tuesday, January 24, 2012

VIENNA — Ruthilde Boesch, whose more than three-decade singing career took her to the world's top opera stages, has died. She was 94.

Boesch's death was announced Tuesday by the Vienna State Opera. A statement said she died Friday.

Born Jan. 9, 1918, Boesch debuted in 1945 as Susanna in Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro" — "Marriage of Figaro." She was active on the opera stage until the mid 1970s, in Vienna, London, Sydney, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Berlin and Barcelona as well as various North American venues.

In Vienna, she appeared in 38 roles and 387 performances. Her roles included Papagena ("Die Zauberfloete/Magic Flute,") Olympia ("Les Contes de'Hoffman/Hoffman's Tales,") Despina ("Cosi fan tutte,") and Blondchen ("Die Entfuehrung aus dem Serail/The Abduction from the Seraglio.")

Boesch, who lived in Vienna, was also a celebrated Lied performer and voice teacher.

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January 24, 2012 02:01 PM EST

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