Biography

In 1946 she was invited to audition for Walter Legge, one of the most respected names in the classical music recording business, who signed her to an exclusive recording contract for EMI. In 1953, they married.

Particularly noted for her singing the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Richard Strauss.

She was sometimes erroneously reported to be the aunt of Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf. In fact, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf was an only child, and after her death, her former agent advised the press that he was unaware of any family connection between her and Norman Schwarzkopf.

One of the most famous operatic sopranos of the twentieth century, as famous for her looks as for her voice. Many of her recordings for EMI are still classical best sellers - among them two versions of "The Merry Widow", recordings of "The Magic Flute" and Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" conducted by Otto Klemperer, her classic recording of Richard Strauss's "Der Rosenkavalier", and her two recordings of "The Marriage of Figaro". All are available on CD.

She appeared in her first opera in 1928, at the age of 13. She made her professional debut at the Berlin State Opera in 1938. She performed at the world's most famous opera houses - La Scala, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She became a British citizen and was named a Dame Commander of the British Empire.