Editing Edita Gruberová

{{good article}}
{{Short description|Slovak soprano (1946–2021)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{infobox person
| name = Edita Gruberová
| image = 2013 Edita Gruberová (8728833715).jpg
| image_upright =
| caption = Gruberová in 2013
| birth_date = {{birth date|1946|12|23|df=yes}}
| birth_place = {{nowrap|[[Rača, Bratislava]], [[Czechoslovakia]]}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|10|18|1946|12|23|df=yes}}	
| death_place = [[Zürich]], Switzerland
| occupation = Operatic [[soprano]]
| years active = 1968–2020
| organisation = [[Vienna State Opera]]
| title = [[Kammersänger]]in
| awards = {{plainlist|
* [[Bayerischer Verdienstorden]]
* [[Herbert von Karajan Music Prize]]
* Österreichischer Musiktheaterpreis
* [[International Classical Music Awards]]
}}
}}

'''Edita Gruberová''' ({{IPA|sk|ˈedita ˈɡruberoʋaː|lang}}; 23 December 1946 – 18 October 2021) was a Slovak [[coloratura soprano]]. She made her stage debut in Bratislava in 1968 as Rosina in [[Gioachino Rossini|Rossini]]'s ''[[Il barbiere di Siviglia]]'', and successfully auditioned at the [[Vienna State Opera]] the following year, which became her base. She received international recognition for roles such as Mozart's Queen of the Night in ''[[The Magic Flute|Die Zauberflöte]]'' and Zerbinetta in ''[[Ariadne auf Naxos]]'' by Richard Strauss.

In her later career, she explored heavier roles in the Italian [[bel canto]] repertoire, such as the title role in Donizetti's ''[[Lucia di Lammermoor]]'', and Elvira in Bellini's ''[[I puritani]]''. In 2019, she portrayed Elisabetta in Donizetti's ''[[Roberto Devereux]]'', who leaves her throne, concluding a stage career performing leading roles over 51 years. She is remembered as the "{{lang|de|Slowakische Nachtigall|italics=no}}" (Slovak Nightingale), and as [[Prima donna|prima donna assoluta]].

== Early life and education ==
Edita Gruberová was born on 23 December 1946<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tommasini|first=Anthony|date=2021-10-22|title=Edita Gruberova, Dazzling Soprano With Emotional Power, Dies at 74|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/arts/music/edita-gruberova-dead.html|access-date=2021-10-23|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023005505/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/arts/music/edita-gruberova-dead.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in [[Rača, Bratislava]],<ref name="Kesting">{{cite news |last=Kesting |first=Jürgen |date=30 March 2019 |title=Ich regiere nicht mehr. Geht! |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/buehne-und-konzert/sopranistin-edita-gruberovas-abschied-von-der-opernbuehne-16113417.html |newspaper=[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|FAZ]] |location=Frankfurt |language=de |access-date=22 January 2020 |archive-date=8 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808182455/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/buehne-und-konzert/sopranistin-edita-gruberovas-abschied-von-der-opernbuehne-16113417.html |url-status=live }}</ref> to a German father and a Hungarian mother.<ref name="Langer 2021">{{cite news | last=Langer | first=Emily | title=Edita Gruberova, dazzling operatic soprano, dies at 74 | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | date=19 October 2021 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/edita-gruberova-dead/2021/10/19/ed962daa-30d5-11ec-93e2-dba2c2c11851_story.html | access-date=20 October 2021 | archive-date=20 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020001454/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/edita-gruberova-dead/2021/10/19/ed962daa-30d5-11ec-93e2-dba2c2c11851_story.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Patmore">{{cite web | last = Patmore | first = David | title = Elena Gruberová | url = https://www.naxos.com/person/Edita_Gruberova/3411.htm | work = [[Naxos Records]] | access-date = 22 December 2020 | archive-date = 19 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211019123521/https://www.naxos.com/person/Edita_Gruberova/3411.htm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/edita-gruberov%C3%A1-mn0000167033/discography |title=Discography Edita Gruberová |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809114936/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/edita-gruberov%C3%A1-mn0000167033/discography |archive-date=9 August 2017 |work=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=31 December 2021}}</ref> As an anti-communist, her father survived a five-year prison sentence for treason.<ref name="Spinola 2021">{{cite web | last=Spinola | first=Julia | title=Edita Gruberová: Nachruf | website=Süddeutsche.de | date=19 October 2021 | url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/nachruf-edita-gruberova-oper-1.5443749 | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=19 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019140001/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/nachruf-edita-gruberova-oper-1.5443749 | url-status=live }}</ref> Her father drank and she developed a close relationship with her mother.<ref name="GmbH 2021">{{cite news | title="Königin der Koloratur": Starsopranistin Edita Gruberová gestorben | newspaper=FAZ | date=18 October 2021 | url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/buehne-und-konzert/starsopranistin-edita-gruberova-mit-74-jahren-gestorben-17591401.html | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021}}</ref> She sang in a school choir and in the children's choir of the broadcaster.<ref name="Zeit">{{cite news |date=27 March 2019 |title=Die Gruberova beendet ihre Opernkarriere |url=https://www.zeit.de/news/2019-03/27/die-gruberova-beendet-ihre-opernkarriere-190327-99-562047 |work=[[Die Zeit]] |location=Hamburg |agency=dpa |language=de |access-date=22 January 2020 |archive-date=31 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731065835/https://www.zeit.de/news/2019-03/27/die-gruberova-beendet-ihre-opernkarriere-190327-99-562047 |url-status=live }}</ref> The pastor of the parish where she prepared for [[Confirmation]] accompanied her when she sang solos at church, and prepared her in piano playing to pass the exam to enter the conservatory.<ref name="BR">{{cite news |url=https://www.br-klassik.de/programm/sendungen-a-z/mittagsmusik/edita-gruberova-70-geburtstag-100.html |title="Einfach Rauf und Runter" – Die Sopranistin Edita Gruberová |date=19 December 2016 |publisher=BR-Klassik |first=Ilona |last=Hanning |access-date=19 July 2020 |archive-date=19 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719180051/https://www.br-klassik.de/programm/sendungen-a-z/mittagsmusik/edita-gruberova-70-geburtstag-100.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Gruberová began her musical studies at the [[Bratislava Conservatory]] (''Konzervatórium v Bratislave''),<ref name="BR" /><ref name="Zeit" /> where she was a student of {{ill|Mária Medvecká|cs}}.<ref name="Kutsch Riemens Rost 2012 p. 1858">{{cite book | last1=Kutsch | first1=K.J. | last2=Riemens | first2=L. | last3=Rost | first3=H. | title=Gruberová, Edita | publisher=[[De Gruyter]] | series=[[Großes Sängerlexikon]] | issue=Bd. 4 | year=2012 | isbn=978-3-598-44088-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dsfq_5dFeL0C&pg=PA1858 | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021 | page=1858 | archive-date=19 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019123517/https://books.google.com/books?id=dsfq_5dFeL0C&pg=PA1858 | url-status=live }}</ref> She then continued at the [[Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava]] (VŠMU).<ref name="Kultúra SME">{{cite web | title=Edita Gruberová: Aj diamant treba brúsiť | website=Kultúra SME | url=https://kultura.sme.sk/c/6200734/edita-gruberova-aj-diamant-treba-brusit.html | language=sk | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=4 December 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204181804/https://kultura.sme.sk/c/6200734/edita-gruberova-aj-diamant-treba-brusit.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Denník N 2021">{{cite web | title=Vo veku 74 rokov zomrela v Zürichu slovenská operná speváčka Edita Gruberová | website=Denník N | date=18 October 2021 | url=https://dennikn.sk/minuta/2578827/ | language=sk | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=18 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018182419/https://dennikn.sk/minuta/2578827/ | url-status=live }}</ref> While studying there, she was a singer of the Lúčnica folk ensemble and appeared several times in the [[Slovak National Theatre]]. She would later study with [[Ruthilde Boesch]] in Vienna.<ref name="Nachrichten 2021">{{cite web | title=Starsopranistin Edita Gruberova ist tot | website=[[Salzburger Nachrichten]] | date=18 October 2021 | url=https://www.sn.at/kultur/musik/starsopranistin-edita-gruberova-ist-tot-111078664 | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=18 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018193515/https://www.sn.at/kultur/musik/starsopranistin-edita-gruberova-ist-tot-111078664 | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Career ==
=== Opera ===
In 1968, Gruberová made her operatic debut at the [[Slovak National Theatre#Old building|National Theatre]] in [[Bratislava]] as Rosina in Rossini's ''[[Il barbiere di Siviglia]]''.<ref name="Patmore" /><ref name="Thiel">{{cite news |last=Thiel |first=Markus |date=29 March 2019 |title=Edita Gruberova: Die Königin dankt ab |url=https://www.merkur.de/kultur/edita-gruberova-verabschiedet-sich-an-bayerischen-staatsoper-in-roberto-devereux-von-opernbuehne-12001473.html |work=[[Merkur]] |location=Munich |language=de |access-date=23 January 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730221751/https://www.merkur.de/kultur/edita-gruberova-verabschiedet-sich-an-bayerischen-staatsoper-in-roberto-devereux-von-opernbuehne-12001473.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Vienna" /> After winning a singing competition in [[Toulouse]], she was then engaged as a soloist of the opera ensemble of the J. G. Tajovský Theatre in [[Banská Bystrica]], Slovakia, from 1968 to 1970.<ref name="Patmore" /><ref name="BR" /><ref>{{cite news |last=App |first=Rolf |date=23 December 2016 |title=OPER: Die bescheidene Königin |url=https://www.tagblatt.ch/kultur/oper-die-bescheidene-koenigin-ld.918186 |work=[[St. Galler Tagblatt]] |location=St. Gallen |language=de |access-date=23 January 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730223443/https://www.tagblatt.ch/kultur/oper-die-bescheidene-koenigin-ld.918186 |url-status=live }}</ref> Among her roles was [[Eliza Doolittle]] in Loewe's musical ''[[My Fair Lady]]''.<ref name="oe1.orf.at 2021">{{cite web | title=Edita Gruberova hat Grund zu feiern | website=oe1.orf.at | date=18 October 2021 | url=https://oe1.orf.at/artikel/293543/Edita-Gruberova-hat-Grund-zu-feiern | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=19 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019123520/https://oe1.orf.at/artikel/293543/Edita-Gruberova-hat-Grund-zu-feiern | url-status=live }}</ref> Since [[Czechoslovak Socialist Republic|communist Czechoslovakia]] was going through [[Normalization (Czechoslovakia)|normalisation]], during which the borders to non-communist countries were closed, Medvecká surreptitiously arranged for an audition for Gruberová at the [[Vienna State Opera]] in the summer of 1969. She was immediately engaged, and made her breakthrough the following year when she appeared as the Queen of the Night in Mozart's ''[[Die Zauberflöte]]''.<ref name="Patmore" /><ref name="Vienna" /> In 1971, Gruberová decided to emigrate to the West.<ref name="Brug 2021">{{cite news | last=Brug | first=Manuel | title=Edita Gruberová: Großmächtige Koloraturprinzessin | website=[[Die Welt]] | date=18 October 2021 | url=https://www.welt.de/kultur/article234501094/Edita-Gruberova-Grossmaechtige-Koloraturprinzessin.html | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=18 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018234839/https://www.welt.de/kultur/article234501094/Edita-Gruberova-Grossmaechtige-Koloraturprinzessin.html | url-status=live }}</ref> She became a member of the Vienna State Opera in 1972,<ref name="Kutsch Riemens Rost 2012 p. 1858" /><ref name="Spielplanarchiv der Wiener Staatsoper">{{cite web | title=Vorstellungen mit Edita Gruberova | website=Spielplanarchiv der Wiener Staatsoper | url=https://archiv.wiener-staatsoper.at/search/person/1059 | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=27 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127231047/https://archiv.wiener-staatsoper.at/search/person/1059 | url-status=live }}</ref> where she was only given secondary and supporting roles in her early years.<ref name="Kesting 2021">{{cite news |last=Kesting |first=Jürgen |date=20 October 2021 |title=Ein Sonnenstrahl, durch einen Diamanten gebrochen |url=https://zeitung.faz.net/faz/feuilleton/2021-10-20/bbf62cc725a6804f61dabdca855a385e/?GEPC=s9 |newspaper=FAZ|location=Frankfurt |language=de |access-date=20 October 2021}}</ref> She was invited to perform at many of the most important opera houses in the world, especially in [[Coloratura soprano|coloratura]] roles.<ref name="Patmore" /> Gruberová made her debut at [[Glyndebourne Festival Opera|Glyndebourne]] in 1973 as the Queen of the Night.<ref name="Patmore" /><ref>{{cite web |date=2013 |title=The Opera Archive |url=https://www.glyndebourne.com/persons/edita-gruberova/ |work=Glyndebourne Festival |location=Glyndebourne |access-date=23 January 2020 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930195524/https://www.glyndebourne.com/persons/edita-gruberova/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She became an Austrian citizen in 1974.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pick |first=Hella |date=20 August 1979 |title=From Prague Spring to Salzburg |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87370488/prick-edita-gruberova/ |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |page=6 |access-date=19 October 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

In Vienna, she studied with Ruthilde Boesch, whom she described as a wonderful, tough, diligent teacher, the demanding role of Zerbinetta in ''[[Ariadne auf Naxos]]'' by Richard Strauss.<ref name="Kesting 2021" /> Although a guest was planned to sing the role in a new production in 1976, Gruberová convinced conductor [[Karl Böhm]] that she was capable. The premiere won her international recognition,<ref name="BR" /> and Böhm said he wished that the composer could have heard that performance.<ref name="Kesting" /> Gruberová first appeared at the [[Metropolitan Opera]], [[New York City]] in 1977,<ref>{{cite news |last=Kozinn |first=Allan |date=7 November 1989 |title=Reviews/Music; Edita Gruberova in Recital |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/07/arts/reviews-music-edita-gruberova-in-recital.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |location=New York City |access-date=22 January 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901125757/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/07/arts/reviews-music-edita-gruberova-in-recital.html |url-status=live }}</ref> again as the Queen of the Night, conducted by [[James Conlon]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2021 |title=Die Zauberflöte {211} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/5/1977 |url=http://69.18.170.204/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=247900&limit=3000&xBranch=ALL&xsdate=&xedate=&theterm=Gruberova,%20Edita%20%5BSoprano%5D&x=0&xhomepath=http://69.18.170.204/archiv&xhome=http://69.18.170.204/archives/bibpro.htm |website=Met archives |access-date=19 October 2021}}</ref> She appeared as Zerbinetta in a live broadcast conducted by [[James Levine]] in 1979. Robert Jacobson of ''Opera News'', in his review noted:

{{quote|New, and a brilliant addition to the ensemble, was Edita Gruberova as Zerbinetta, The Slovak soprano is everything one could hope for in this soaring, most demanding role, for she acts enchantingly, sings with great skill and musicality and possesses a voice that not only sails easily to the top, but is filled out with sweetness and quality; she had a triumph, predictably, not only in her big aria, but in the touching duet with the Composer in the prologue as well.<ref>{{cite web | last = Jacobson | first = Robert | date=2021 |title=Ariadne auf Naxos {32} Matinee Broadcast ed. Metropolitan Opera House: 03/10/1979., Broadcast |url=http://69.18.170.204/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=256770&limit=3000&xBranch=ALL&xsdate=&xedate=&theterm=Gruberova,%20Edita%20%5BSoprano%5D&x=0&xhomepath=http://69.18.170.204/archiv&xhome=http://69.18.170.204/archives/bibpro.htm |website=Met archives |access-date=19 October 2021}}</ref>}}

In 1977, she first appeared at the [[Salzburg Festival]], as Thibault in Verdi's ''[[Don Carlo]]'', conducted by [[Herbert von Karajan]]. In opera films, she performed as Gilda in Ponnelle's [[Rigoletto (1982 film)|1982 film adaptation]] of ''[[Rigoletto]]'', alongside [[Ingvar Wixell]] in the title role and [[Luciano Pavarotti]] as the Duke,<ref>{{OCLC|978004560}}</ref> and in his 1988 film adaptation of Mozart's ''[[Così fan tutte]]'', alongside [[Delores Ziegler]] and [[Ferruccio Furlanetto]].<ref>{{OCLC|31634185}}</ref> Gruberová made her [[Royal Opera House]] debut as Giulietta in Bellini's ''[[I Capuleti e i Montecchi]]'' in 1984. Other important roles include the title roles of Verdi's ''[[La traviata]]'', Donizetti's ''[[Lucia di Lammermoor]]'', and Massenet's ''[[Manon]]''. She performed as Konstanze in Mozart's ''[[Die Entführung aus dem Serail]]'', and Oscar in Verdi's ''[[Un ballo in maschera]]''.<ref name="Kutsch Riemens Rost 2012 p. 1858" />

[[File:Gruberova 2008 - web.jpg|thumb|upright|Gruberová in 2008]]
Gruberová appeared as a regular guest at the [[Zürich Opera]], as Marie in Donizetti's ''[[La fille du régiment]]'' in 1984, as Lucia in 1990, and in the title role of Rossini's ''[[Semiramide]]'' in 1992. She performed there in the title role of Donizetti's ''[[Linda di Chamounix]]'' in 1995, as Elvira in Bellini's ''[[I puritani]]'' in 1999, in the title role of Donizetti's ''[[Anna Bolena]]'' in 2000, and in the title role of Bellini's ''[[Beatrice di Tenda]]'' in 2001.<ref name="Kutsch Riemens Rost 2012 p. 1858" /> The same year, she withdrew from all her performances at the Zürich Opera, after Alexander Pereira, then intendant, claimed that her dancer daughter's injury, which forced her to quit dancing, was not an occupational accident.<ref name="BR" /> In 2012, she appeared there again in a recital, stepping in for [[Jonas Kaufmann]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nzz.ch/comeback-von-edita-gruberova-1.16815570 |title=Comeback von Edita Gruberova |date=9 May 2012 |work=[[Neue Zürcher Zeitung]] |access-date=19 July 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730231805/https://www.nzz.ch/comeback-von-edita-gruberova-1.16815570 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that year, after Pereira's departure, she performed with the company again, in a revival of ''[[Roberto Devereux]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drehpunktkultur.at/index.php/rest-der-welt/ausland/5005-die-triumphale-rueckkehr-von-edita-gruberova |title=Die triumphale Rückkehr von Edita Gruberova |date=1 October 2012 |website=DrehPunktKultur |first=Oliver |last=Schneider |access-date=19 July 2020 |archive-date=19 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719193436/http://www.drehpunktkultur.at/index.php/rest-der-welt/ausland/5005-die-triumphale-rueckkehr-von-edita-gruberova |url-status=live }}</ref>

Gruberová appeared as Donna Anna in Mozart's ''[[Don Giovanni]]'' at [[La Scala]] in Milan in 1987 and as [[Elizabeth I|Elisabetta]] in Donizetti's ''Roberto Devereux'' in Vienna in 1990. The latter became one of her signature roles; in a new production in Munich directed by [[Christof Loy]], she made peace with ''[[Regietheater]]'' in a dramatic portrayal of the Queen, without losing her distinctive coloratura. She always performed coloratura ornamentation with dramatic expressiveness, with humour as Zerbinetta, and in rapture with a high [[Trill (music)|trill]] as the dying Antonia in [[Jacques Offenbach|Offenbach]]'s ''[[Les contes d'Hoffmann]]''.<ref name="Kesting" /> In 2006, she added the title role in Bellini's ''[[Norma (opera)|Norma]]'' to her repertoire, at the [[Bavarian State Opera]].<ref name="BR" />

She gave her last opera performance on 27 March 2019 as Elisabetta in ''Roberto Devereux'' at the Bavarian State Opera.<ref name="Salazar">{{cite news |url=https://operawire.com/edita-gruberova-gives-final-performances-at-the-bayerische-staatsoper/ |title=Edita Gruberova Gives Final Performances At The Bayerische Staatsoper |date=20 March 2019 |first=Francisco |last=Salazar |work=OperaWire |access-date=22 March 2020 |archive-date=22 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322111436/https://operawire.com/edita-gruberova-gives-final-performances-at-the-bayerische-staatsoper/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Zeit"/> She concluded her stage career after 51 years of singing leading roles,<ref name="Kesting" /> and received ovations for 58 minutes.<ref name="Thiel" />  [[Jürgen Kesting]], writing for the ''[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|FAZ]]'', allegorized her convincing portrayal of the aging Elizabeth I who leaves her throne and drew parallels to her retiring.<ref name="Kesting" /> She then focused on concerts and giving masterclasses.<ref name="Salazar" /><ref name="Zeit"/> She officially retired from the stage in September 2020, in part due to delays related to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] which made planning further performances difficult.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.br-klassik.de/aktuell/news-kritik/edita-gruberova-beendet-zum-jahresende-karriere-100.html |title=Star-Sopranistin Edita Gruberová beendet Karriere: Zum Jahresende ist Schluss |date=14 September 2020 |publisher=BR-Klassik |first=Antje |last=Dörfner |access-date=28 March 2021 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308001130/https://www.br-klassik.de/aktuell/news-kritik/edita-gruberova-beendet-zum-jahresende-karriere-100.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Her last performance was in [[Gersthofen]] on 20 December 2019.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 September 2020 |work=Forumopera.com |url=https://www.forumopera.com/breve/clap-de-fin-pour-edita-gruberova |title=Clap de fin pour Edita Gruberová ? |access-date=28 March 2021 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930220306/https://www.forumopera.com/breve/clap-de-fin-pour-edita-gruberova |url-status=live }}</ref> Her two planned farewell performances in November 2020, in a semi-staged ''Roberto Devereux'' at the [[National Theatre Košice]], were cancelled due to the pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://kosice.korzar.sme.sk/c/22537115/operna-diva-edita-gruberova-sa-rozhodla-definitivne-ukoncit-karieru.html |title=Operná diva Edita Gruberová definitívne končí kariéru |date=18 November 2020 |first=Róbert |last=Bejda |work=Korzár |language=sk |access-date=28 March 2021 |archive-date=5 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205032315/https://kosice.korzar.sme.sk/c/22537115/operna-diva-edita-gruberova-sa-rozhodla-definitivne-ukoncit-karieru.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== ''Lied'' ===
Gruberová was introduced to ''[[Lied]]er'' repertoire by {{ill|Harald Goertz|de}}, a professor at the [[University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna|Vienna Music Academy]], and repetiteur at the Vienna State Opera. They often performed together, until [[Erik Werba]] became her ''Lied'' partner with whom she performed songs by [[Franz Schubert]], [[Gustav Mahler]] and Strauss.<ref name="BR" /> In 1980, they performed a recital at the [[Salzburg Festival]] with clarinetist [[Peter Schmidl]], featuring songs by [[Felix Mendelssohn|Mendelssohn]], Schubert and Strauss.<ref name="BR" /><ref>{{cite web | title = Edita Gruberová | url = https://archive.salzburgerfestspiele.at/archive_detail/programid/2356/id/251/j/1980 | work = Salzburg Festival Archive | date = 2021 | access-date = 19 October 2021 | archive-date = 19 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211019201335/https://archive.salzburgerfestspiele.at/archive_detail/programid/2356/id/251/j/1980 | url-status = live }}</ref>

=== Recognition === 
Gruberová was an Austrian and Bavarian [[Kammersänger]]in, and an honorary member of the Vienna State Opera from 1988.<ref name="Vienna">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160818074726/https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/Content.Node/home/kuenstler/saengerinnen/Gruberova.de.php "Kammersängerin Edita Gruberova"], profile at Vienna State Opera (Archive)</ref><ref name="Zeit" /><ref name="Kutsch Riemens Rost 2012 p. 1858" /> She was known as the "Slowakische Nachtigall" (Slovak Nightingale).<ref name="Vienna Presse">[https://www.wien.gv.at/presse/2009/05/27/slowakische-nachtigall-edita-gruberova-ausgezeichnet ''"Slowakische Nachtigall" / Edita Gruberova ausgezeichnet.''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710231018/https://www.wien.gv.at/presse/2009/05/27/slowakische-nachtigall-edita-gruberova-ausgezeichnet |date=10 July 2021 }} (in German) In: ''Rathauskorrespondenz'', 27 May 2009</ref> Kesting recognized Gruberová as the last [[Prima donna|prima donna assoluta]].<ref name="Kesting 2021" />

== Personal life ==
Gruberová was married to Štefan Klimo, a Czech composer and musicologist.<ref name="Kutsch Riemens Rost 2012 p. 1858" /> They divorced in 1983 and Klimo died by suicide soon afterwards.<ref name="BR" /> Beginning in the 1980s, she had a long professional and personal relationship with [[Friedrich Haider]], a pianist and conductor.{{sfn|Thiel|2012|p=222}}<ref name="Theaterlexikon 2021">{{cite web | first=Paul | last=Suter | title=Edita Gruberova – Theaterlexikon | website=Theaterlexikon | date=18 October 2021 | url=http://tls.theaterwissenschaft.ch/wiki/Edita_Gruberova | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=9 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009183942/http://tls.theaterwissenschaft.ch/wiki/Edita_Gruberova | url-status=live }}</ref> They separated in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rondomagazin.de/artikel.php?artikel_id=1293|title=Zugabe – Namen, Nachrichten, Nettigkeiten: Neues von der Hinterbühne|website=Rondo (magazin)|accessdate=19 October 2021|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411001714/https://www.rondomagazin.de/artikel.php?artikel_id=1293|url-status=live}}</ref> She is the mother of two daughters, including the dancer and choreographer Barbara Klimo.<ref name="Theaterlexikon 2021" /><ref name="DER STANDARD 2019">{{cite web | title=Sopranistin Gruberová verlässt die Opernbühne | website=[[Der Standard]] | date=20 March 2019 | url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000099855011/gruberova-verlaesst-die-opernbuehne | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=5 December 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205182757/https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000099855011/gruberova-verlaesst-die-opernbuehne | url-status=live }}</ref> She moved her residence to Zürich in the mid-1980s for tax reasons.<ref name="DER STANDARD 2006">{{cite web |first=Bernhard |last=Madlener | title=Eine Aschenputtel-Karriere | website=[[Der Standard]] | date=25 March 2006 | url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/2390342/eine-aschenputtel-karriere | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021}}</ref> 

Gruberová died of an accidental head injury in Zürich on 18 October 2021 at age 74.<ref name="Spiegel 2021">{{cite news | title=Sopranistin Edita Gruberová ist tot | website=[[Der Spiegel]] | date=18 October 2021 | url=https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/sopranistin-edita-gruberova-ist-tot-a-1b06dad6-603d-4a14-8069-b2ef18902a3c | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=18 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018223744/https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/sopranistin-edita-gruberova-ist-tot-a-1b06dad6-603d-4a14-8069-b2ef18902a3c | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Nachrichten 2021" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://kurier.at/kultur/starsopranistin-edita-gruberova-gestorben/401774436 |title=Starsopranistin Edita Gruberova gestorben |date=18 October 2021 |work=[[Kurier]] |language=de |access-date=18 October 2021 |archive-date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018173520/https://kurier.at/kultur/starsopranistin-edita-gruberova-gestorben/401774436 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="DER STANDARD 2021">{{cite web | first=Ljubiša | last=Tošić | title=Starsopranistin Edita Gruberová gestorben | website=[[Der Standard]] | date=18 October 2021 | url=https://www.derstandard.de/story/2000130540950/starsopranistin-edita-gruberova-gestorben | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=19 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019123519/https://www.derstandard.de/consent/tcf/story/2000130540950/starsopranistin-edita-gruberova-gestorben | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Korentschnig 2021">{{cite web | last=Korentschnig | first=Gert | title=Starsopranistin Edita Gruberova: Die Königin in der ewigen Nacht | website=kurier.at | date=18 October 2021 | url=https://kurier.at/kultur/starsopranistin-edita-gruberova-die-koenigin-in-der-ewigen-nacht/401774475 | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=18 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018202324/https://kurier.at/kultur/starsopranistin-edita-gruberova-die-koenigin-in-der-ewigen-nacht/401774475 | url-status=live }}{{subscription required}}</ref>

== Recordings ==
{{Main|Edita Gruberová discography}}
Gruberová made many recordings,<ref name="Patmore" /><ref name="Kutsch Riemens Rost 2012 p. 1858" /> most notably in full-length opera, and extended selections from Donizetti's Tudor Queens' trilogy and other bel canto operas. She recorded ''Die Zauberflöte'' with conductors [[Alain Lombard]], [[Bernard Haitink]] and [[Nikolaus Harnoncourt]], ''Ariadne auf Naxos'' with [[Georg Solti]], and ''Die Entführung aus dem Serail'' with [[Heinz Wallberg]], among others.<ref name="Kesting 2021" /> In her later years, she recorded exclusively on the Nightingale label that she founded. More than a dozen of her filmed and televised opera appearances have been released on DVD, including ''Die Zauberflöte'', ''Così fan tutte'', ''Die Entführung aus dem Serail'', ''I puritani'', ''Norma'', ''Manon'', ''Beatrice di Tenda'', and Donizetti's ''[[Lucrezia Borgia (opera)|Lucrezia Borgia]]'' and ''Linda di Chamounix'', and ''Ariadne auf Naxos''.<ref name="Patmore" />

She recorded [[Bach cantata|Bach's solo cantatas]] for soprano, such as [[Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51|''Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen'', BWV 51]], and [[Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199|''Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut'', BWV 199]], in 1979, with Helmut Winschermann conducting the [[Deutsche Bachsolisten]] and trumpeter [[Wolfgang Basch]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Edita Gruberová (Soprano) | website = Bach Cantatas Website | date = 2001 | url = https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Gruberova-Edita.htm | access-date = 19 October 2021 | archive-date = 19 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211019064413/https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Gruberova-Edita.htm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Helmut Winschermann & Deutsche Bachsolisten / Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works | website = Bach Cantatas Website | date = 2013 | url = https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Performers/Winschermann.htm | access-date = 19 October 2021 | archive-date = 21 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211021161952/https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Performers/Winschermann.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> She also appeared as the soprano soloist in [[Giuseppe Sinopoli]]'s 1991 recording of Mahler's [[Symphony No. 4 (Mahler)|Fourth Symphony]].<ref>{{Cite AV media notes|type = booklet| title=Mahler{{dot}}Sinopoli: The Complete Recordings|publisher=Deutsche Grammophon|id = DGG 471 451-2|date=2002|page=6}}</ref>

== Awards ==
* 1980: Austrian [[Kammersängerin]]<ref name="oe1.orf.at 2021" />
* 1988: Honorary member of the [[Vienna State Opera]]<ref name="Theaterlexikon 2021" />
* 1989: Bavarian Kammersängerin<ref name="Gerhaher">{{Cite web |date=24 July 2015 |title=Christian Gerhaher ist Bayerischer Kammersänger |url=https://www.stmwk.bayern.de/kunst-und-kultur/meldung/3688/christian-gerhaher-ist-bayerischer-kammersaenger.html |access-date=31 March 2020 |website=stmwk.bayern.de |publisher=Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst |location=Munich |language=de |archive-date=19 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019123521/https://www.stmwk.bayern.de/kunst-und-kultur/meldung/3688/christian-gerhaher-ist-bayerischer-kammersaenger.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 1997: [[Bayerischer Verdienstorden]]<ref name="Theaterlexikon 2021" />
* 1999: [[Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art]] (in the field of art)<ref name="Theaterlexikon 2021" />
* 2009: {{ill|Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um das Land Wien|de}} in Gold<ref name="Vienna Presse" /><ref>[https://www.wien.gv.at/presse/bilder/2009/05/27/slowakische-nachtigall-edita-gruberova-ausgezeichnet Edita Gruberova ausgezeichnet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130050842/https://www.wien.gv.at/presse/bilder/2009/05/27/slowakische-nachtigall-edita-gruberova-ausgezeichnet |date=30 November 2020 }} (image) In: ''Rathauskorrespondenz'', 27 May 2009</ref>
* 2013: [[Herbert von Karajan Music Prize]]<ref name="oe24.at 2013">{{cite web | title=Edita Gruberova erhält Herbert von Karajan-Preis | website=oe24.at | date=7 March 2013 | url=https://www.oe24.at/kultur/edita-gruberova-erhaelt-herbert-von-karajan-preis/97159164 | language=de | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=19 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019123521/https://www.oe24.at/kultur/edita-gruberova-erhaelt-herbert-von-karajan-preis/97159164 | url-status=live }}</ref>
* 2014: {{ill|Österreichischer Musiktheaterpreis|de}} ''Goldener Schikaneder'' for her life's work<ref name="www.kleinezeitung.at 2014">{{cite web | title="Goldener Schikaneder": Edita Gruberova wird fürs Lebenswerk geehrt | website=Kleine Zeitung | date=9 May 2014 | url=https://www.kleinezeitung.at/steiermark/graz/4152682/ | access-date=21 December 2021}}</ref>
* 2016: Ehrenplakette of the {{ill|Richard-Strauss-Festival|de|Richard-Strauss-Festival}} in [[Garmisch-Partenkirchen]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160627192759/http://www.richard-strauss-festival.de/rsi2016/index.php/de/programm-de/9-eroeffnung<!--{{Webarchiv |url=http://www.richard-strauss-festival.de/rsi2016/index.php/de/programm-de/9-eroeffnung |text=--> Eröffnungsprogramm der Richard-Strauss-Festivals 2016] (in German) Richard-Strauss-Festival, retrieved 6 April 2018</ref><ref name="Kultur.net">{{cite web | title=Tickets und Infos Kongresszentrum Garmisch-Partenkirchen Eröffnung Richard-Strauss-Festival 2016 | website=Kultur.net | url=http://kultur.net/kongresszentrum-garmisch-partenkirchen/programm/eroeffnung-richard-strauss-festival-2016 | language=de | access-date=21 December 2021}}</ref>
* 2021: [[International Classical Music Awards]], Lifetime Achievement<ref name="ICMA">{{cite web | title=The ICMA winners 2021 are published – ICMA | website=ICMA | url=https://www.icma-info.com/the-icma-winners-2021-are-published/ | access-date=19 October 2021 | archive-date=10 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410143650/https://www.icma-info.com/the-icma-winners-2021-are-published/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book | last=Rishoi | first=Niel | title=Edita Gruberova : ein Portrait | publisher=Atlantis | publication-place=Zürich Mainz | year=1996 | isbn=3-254-00192-3 | oclc=40681320 | language=de}}
* {{cite book | last=Thiel | first=Markus | title=Edita Gruberova | publisher=Bärenreiter, Henschel | publication-place=Kassel, Leipzig | year=2012 | isbn=978-3-89487-915-0 | oclc=796975150 | language=de}}
* {{cite web | title=The Vienna State Opera mourns the death of KS Edita Gruberova | website=[[Wiener Staatsoper]] | date=18 October 2021 | url=https://upstream.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/staatsoper/media/detail/news/the-vienna-state-opera-mourns-the-death-of-ks-edita-gruberova/ | access-date=19 October 2021}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* {{official}}
* {{IMDb name|0344310|name=Edita Gruberová}}
* {{discogs artist}}
* [https://www.hilbert.de/en/artists/singers/soprano/edita-gruberova/ Edita Gruberová] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019091701/https://www.hilbert.de/en/artists/singers/soprano/edita-gruberova/ |date=19 October 2021 }} (management) Hilbert
<!--* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716144414/http://www.bayerische.staatsoper.de/c.php/kosmosoper/kosmosoper.php?l=de&dom=dom1 Archive] Bayerische Staatsoper Mediathek unclear what refers to her-->
* Trevor Gillis: [https://www.operasense.com/edita-gruberova/ Edita Gruberová] (video of Queen of the Night) 1 December 2016
* {{YouTube|DwP-5TQjuOo|Edita Gruberova as Zerbinetta Live at the MET (17 February 1979) [InHouse Recording]}}
* [https://www.mediathek.at/redirect.json?hash=f4KeRcT8&no_cache=1&searchQuery=2199&cHash=cf3513507e5e2d8911e1f0e5d7c6c312 Recordings of rehearsals and performances with Edita Gruberová] in the online-archive of the [[Österreichische Mediathek]] {{registration required}}

{{Herbert von Karajan Music Prize}}
{{International Classical Music Awards Lifetime Achievement}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Opera}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gruberova, Edita}}

[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:Slovak operatic sopranos]]
[[Category:Musicians from Bratislava]]
[[Category:Czechoslovak emigrants to Austria]]
[[Category:Österreichischer Kammersänger]]
[[Category:Herbert von Karajan Music Prize winners]]
[[Category:20th-century Slovak women opera singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Slovak women opera singers]]
[[Category:Slovak expatriates in Switzerland]]