Hildegard Behrens

Hildegard Behrens, born on February 9, 1937 in Varel, Germany, was a German soprano. She studied law before turning to vocal training at the Freiburg University of Music. She debuted in 1971 with the role of the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro at the Freiburg Opera House, followed by membership in the Düsseldorf Opera Studio. She gained international prominence after Herbert von Karajan cast her as Salome in his upcoming EMI recording in 1975 and later reprised the role at the Salzburg Festival. Her recording career spanned landmark Wagnerian and Strauss roles, including Fidelio, Der Ring des Nibelungen, and Elektra. Behrens died on August 18, 2009 in Tokyo.