The HILDEGARD BEHRENS FOUNDATION

HILDEGARD BEHRENS was widely regarded as one of the greatest German dramatic sopranos of the 20th century and among the foremost Wagnerian sopranos of all time. She was most celebrated for her riveting portrayals of the most demanding soprano roles in the operatic repertoire. Her art was characterized by a keen musical intelligence and a profound understanding of the intellectual underpinning of her roles. But it was her overwhelming humanity that most endeared her to opera-lovers world-wide, as eloquently demonstrated by the unprecedented outpouring of grief at her untimely passing.In the last years of her life, Hildegard Behrens dedicated herself to handing down these values personally to the next generation. In fact, death found her on August 18, 2009 as she was about to begin Master Classes at the Kusatsu Festival in Japan. Throughout her career, Ms. Behrens was also a great friend of the Americas. She made spectacular débuts at Teatro Colón Buenos Aires, Teatro Municipal Rio de Janeiro and Santiago de Chile, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York, her artistic home for almost twenty-five years.

The HILDEGARD BEHRENS FOUNDATION was created in honor of the great German dramatic soprano. It was launched on the first anniversary of her passing (August 18, 2010) by Founder and Chairman, Dr. Gaston Ormazábal, a long-time friend of the legendary opera singer. The founding members of the Advisory Board are Philip Behrens (Munich/Washington), Gloria Cajipe (San Diego/Manila), Alexandra Kauka (Munich/New York), Ken Noda (New York), Prince Fabrizio Ruspoli di Poggio Suasa (Paris/Marrakesh) and Mary Gene Sondericker (New York). The Foundation makes financial contributions to American institutions in commemoration of Ms. Behrens’ artistic legacy: perfect architecture of the musical phrase, complete classical training in the historical context of Western civilization, and deep humanity.

The 2010 Awardees

The 2011 Awardees

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“HILDEGARD BEHRENS broke through every wall in my human experience with the sound of her voice. It was the purest heart and soul from within the most challenging depths. Her artistry was about finding the light and in doing so, gave us all the gift of hope. Long live the HILDEGARD BEHRENS FOUNDATION in honoring the future of young artists with her embrace.”
- Ken Noda, Musical Assistant to James Levine / Lindemann Young Artist Development Program

DVD cover - Hildegard Behrens as Elektra

Hildegard Behrens was a searingly anguished Elektra in the title role of Richard Strauss’ opera. Her sensational performance at the Metropolitan Opera was released on DVD on September 21, 2010 as part of the 12-title DVD set celebrating James Levine's 40 years as The Met's Music Director.

She was most celebrated for her riveting portrayals of the most demanding soprano roles in the operatic repertoire —the great heroines which she sang with a powerful radiance. She was a sublimely human Leonore in Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fidelio, a searingly anguished Elektra in the title role of Richard Strauss’ opera, and a monumental Brünnhilde in Richard Wagner’s tetralogy The Ring of the Nibelung.



 
Immolation Scene from Götterdämmerung

Opening music: Hildegard Behrens singing "Komm Hoffnung" [Come, hope] - Aria from Act I, Scene 6 of the German opera, Fidelio by Ludwig van Beethoven / Chicago Symphony, Sir Georg Solti, cond. [Decca] - the first opera to be digitally recorded.