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3 unusual facts about Nicolai Gedda


Nicolai Gedda

A singer of unusual longevity, Gedda has been active well into his late 70s; in May 2001 he recorded the role of the Emperor Altoum in Puccini's Turandot and the role of the High Priest in Mozart's Idomeneo in June 2003.

Gedda was raised by his aunt Olga Gedda and his adoptive father Mihail Ustinov (a distant relative of Peter Ustinov), who sang bass in Serge Jaroff's Don Cossack Choir and was cantor in a Russian Orthodox church.

One of his greatest and most acclaimed recordings was that of the great masterwork of Hans Pfitzner, Palestrina, which he recorded under the baton of Rafael Kubelik.


Hugo Hasslo

1959 - Verdi - Rigoletto - Hugo Hasslo, Margareta Hallin, Nicolai Gedda, Kerstin Meyer, Arne Tyren - Stockholm Opera Chorus and Orchestra, Sixten Ehrling - (live recording issued on various labels)

La dame blanche

1964 - Nicolai Gedda, Mimi Aarden, Sophia Van Sant, Guus Hoekman, Erna Spoorenberg, Henk Drissen and Franz Vroons with Jean Fournet conducting the Hilversum Radio Chorus and Hilversum Radio Orchestra.

Mario Sereni

Puccini - La bohème - Mirella Freni, Nicolai Gedda, Mariella Adani - Rome Opera Chorus and Orchestra, Thomas Schippers - EMI - (1963)


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