Opera singers are some of the most talented musicians in the world, possessing exceptional vocal ability and stage presence that can captivate audiences for hours on end. Over the centuries, opera has produced many legendary performers who have left an indelible mark on the art form and have inspired countless others to follow in their footsteps.
From the grandeur of Luciano Pavarotti to the artistry of Maria Callas, the passion of Placido Domingo to the grace of Kiri Te Kanawa, the list of famous opera singers is long and illustrious.
In this list, we will take a closer look at the top 20 famous opera singers of all time, exploring their lives, careers, and contributions to the world of music. These singers have not only become household names but have also elevated the art form of opera to new heights, setting the standard for future generations of performers to come.
1. Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti was an Italian tenor and one of the most celebrated and beloved opera singers of the 20th century. Born in Modena, Italy in 1935, Pavarotti’s voice was immediately recognized as exceptional from a young age. He began his formal music education at the age of nine, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already performing professionally.
Pavarotti’s talent and vocal range made him a standout performer in the opera world. He was particularly known for his ability to hit high notes with remarkable clarity and power. His signature operatic roles included Rodolfo in “La Bohème,” Nemorino in “L’elisir d’amore,” and the title role in “Don Giovanni.”
In addition to his performances on stage, Pavarotti also gained immense popularity for his many concerts and recordings. He collaborated with a wide range of artists from different genres, including pop stars like Bono and Elton John. One of his most famous performances was with fellow tenors José Carreras and Plácido Domingo at the 1990 World Cup in Rome, where they performed a rendition of “Nessun Dorma” that captivated audiences around the world.
Throughout his career, Pavarotti received numerous awards and honors, including multiple Grammys and a Kennedy Center Honor. He also used his fame to promote charitable causes, particularly those related to humanitarian aid and medical research. Despite his passing in 2007, his legacy as one of the greatest tenors of all time lives on, and his recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers.
2. Maria Callas
Maria Callas was an American-born Greek soprano who is widely regarded as one of the greatest opera singers of the 20th century. Born in New York City in 1923, Callas began her musical training at a young age and quickly established herself as a rising star in the world of opera. Her unique and powerful voice, combined with her dramatic stage presence, captivated audiences and critics alike.
Throughout her career, Callas became known for her breathtaking performances in a range of operatic roles, including Bellini’s “Norma,” Verdi’s “Aida,” and Puccini’s “Tosca.” She was particularly renowned for her ability to convey emotion and depth through her singing, and her performances were often praised for their intense emotional impact.
Despite her immense talent, Callas’s career was not without controversy. She was known for her temperamental personality and her often-strained relationships with directors and fellow performers. However, her artistry and dedication to her craft remained a constant throughout her life, and she continued to perform and record until her retirement in the mid-1970s.
Today, Callas’s legacy lives on as one of the greatest singers in the history of opera. Her recordings continue to inspire new generations of performers, and her influence can be felt in the work of countless singers who have followed in her footsteps.
3. Enrico Caruso
Enrico Caruso was an Italian tenor who is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of opera. Born in Naples, Italy in 1873, Caruso began his singing career as a young man and quickly established himself as a rising star in the world of opera. His powerful voice and impeccable technique made him a standout performer, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented tenors of his generation.
Throughout his career, Caruso performed a wide range of operatic roles, from Verdi’s “Rigoletto” to Puccini’s “La Bohème.” He was particularly known for his ability to convey emotion through his singing, and his performances were often praised for their heartfelt sincerity.
Caruso was also an accomplished recording artist, and his recordings remain some of the most celebrated in the history of opera. His rendition of “Vesti la giubba” from Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” is one of the most famous recordings in all of classical music.
Despite his untimely death in 1921 at the age of 48, Caruso’s legacy as one of the greatest singers in the history of opera lives on. His recordings continue to inspire new generations of performers, and his influence can be felt in the work of countless tenors who have followed in his footsteps.
4. Renee Fleming
Renée Fleming is an American soprano who is widely regarded as one of the most talented and versatile singers of her generation. Born in Indiana in 1959, Fleming began her musical training at a young age and quickly established herself as a rising star in the world of opera. Her rich, velvety voice and impeccable technique made her a standout performer, and she quickly gained a reputation as one of the most gifted sopranos of her time.
Throughout her career, Fleming has performed a wide range of operatic roles, from Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” to Strauss’s “Der Rosenkavalier.” She has also collaborated with a variety of other artists, from jazz pianist Brad Mehldau to singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. Her ability to move seamlessly between different genres has made her a beloved and respected figure in the world of music.
In addition to her performing career, Fleming has also been a vocal advocate for the arts. She has served on the boards of several arts organizations and has been a vocal supporter of arts education in schools. Her contributions to the field of music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the National Medal of Arts and the Swedish Polar Music Prize.
Today, Fleming’s legacy as one of the greatest sopranos of all time lives on. Her recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers, and her dedication to the arts serves as an inspiration to performers and supporters of the arts around the world.
5. Placido Domingo
Plácido Domingo is a Spanish tenor and conductor who is widely regarded as one of the most talented and versatile singers of his generation. Born in Madrid in 1941, Domingo began his singing career as a young man and quickly established himself as a rising star in the world of opera. His powerful voice and dramatic stage presence made him a standout performer, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most gifted tenors of his time.
Throughout his career, Domingo has performed a wide range of operatic roles, from Verdi’s “Otello” to Wagner’s “Die Walküre.” He has also collaborated with a variety of other artists, from pop singers like John Denver to jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. His ability to move seamlessly between different genres has made him a beloved and respected figure in the world of music.
In addition to his performing career, Domingo has also been a passionate advocate for the arts. He has served as the general director of both the Washington National Opera and the Los Angeles Opera, and he has been a vocal supporter of arts education in schools. His contributions to the field of music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Spanish Order of Arts and Letters.
Today, Domingo’s legacy as one of the greatest tenors of all time lives on. His recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers, and his dedication to the arts serves as an inspiration to performers and supporters of the arts around the world.
6. Joan Sutherland
Joan Sutherland was an Australian soprano opera singer who became one of the most acclaimed and admired singers of the 20th century. Born in Sydney, Australia, in 1926, Sutherland began her music career in the 1950s, quickly gaining attention for her stunning vocal range, power, and control.
Sutherland’s voice was known for its bright, clear tone, and her ability to effortlessly hit high notes with precision and clarity. She quickly became known for her performances of bel canto operas, particularly those of Donizetti and Bellini, and became a mainstay of the opera world throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Throughout her career, Sutherland received numerous accolades and awards for her contributions to the world of opera, including the Order of Merit from Queen Elizabeth II and the Companion of the Order of Australia.
With her exceptional talent, dedication, and unwavering commitment to her craft, Sutherland became one of the most influential and admired opera singers of all time. Her legacy continues to be felt today, and she remains a beloved figure in the world of opera and classical music.
7. Jose Carreras
José Carreras is a Spanish tenor who is known for his powerful and emotive voice. Born in Barcelona in 1946, Carreras began his singing career as a young man and quickly established himself as one of the most talented tenors of his generation. He rose to international fame in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming known for his performances in operas such as “La Bohème,” “La Traviata,” and “Rigoletto.”
Carreras is also known for his humanitarian work. In the 1980s, he founded the José Carreras International Leukemia Foundation after he himself was diagnosed with the disease. The foundation has since raised millions of dollars for leukemia research and has helped to improve the lives of countless patients around the world.
Throughout his career, Carreras has won numerous awards and honors, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts. Today, he is regarded as one of the greatest tenors of all time, and his recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
8. Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman was an American soprano who was widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of her generation. Born in Georgia in 1945, Norman began singing in church choirs as a child and quickly developed a deep love for music. She went on to study at Howard University and later at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where she honed her vocal skills and developed her signature rich, powerful voice.
Throughout her career, Norman performed a wide range of music, from classical opera to spirituals and jazz standards. She was known for her expressive and dynamic performances, as well as her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the arts.
Norman was also a vocal advocate for social justice and civil rights. She performed at numerous benefit concerts and rallies, and she was a frequent speaker on issues related to race and equality.
Throughout her career, Norman won numerous awards and honors, including five Grammy Awards and the National Medal of Arts. Her legacy as one of the greatest sopranos of all time lives on, and her recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
9. Robert Merrill
Robert Merrill was an American operatic baritone who is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of his generation. Born in Brooklyn in 1917, Merrill began his singing career as a cantor in his local synagogue before going on to study at the Juilliard School of Music.
Throughout his career, Merrill performed a wide range of operatic roles, from Verdi’s “Rigoletto” to Puccini’s “La Bohème.” He was known for his rich, powerful voice and his ability to convey deep emotion through his singing.
In addition to his performing career, Merrill was also a popular recording artist and television personality. He appeared on numerous variety shows and talk shows, and his recordings of popular songs and operatic arias continue to be beloved by music lovers around the world.
Merrill’s contributions to the field of music were recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the National Medal of Arts and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Today, his legacy as one of the greatest baritones of all time lives on, and his recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
10. Marilyn Horne
Marilyn Horne is an American mezzo-soprano who is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century. Born in Pennsylvania in 1934, Horne began singing as a child and quickly developed a deep love for music. She went on to study at the University of Southern California and later at the Music Academy of the West, where she honed her vocal skills and developed her signature rich, powerful voice.
Throughout her career, Horne performed a wide range of operatic roles, from Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” to Handel’s “Julius Caesar.” She was known for her expressive and dynamic performances, as well as her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the arts.
Horne was also a vocal advocate for arts education and served as the chair of the board of trustees for the Music Academy of the West. She founded the Marilyn Horne Foundation, which provides scholarships and support for young singers.
Throughout her career, Horne won numerous awards and honors, including four Grammy Awards and the National Medal of Arts. Today, her legacy as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of all time lives on, and her recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
11. Bryn Terfel
Bryn Terfel is a Welsh bass-baritone who is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of his generation. Born in North Wales in 1965, Terfel began his singing career as a young man and quickly established himself as one of the most talented bass-baritones of his generation. He rose to international fame in the 1990s and 2000s, becoming known for his performances in operas such as “The Marriage of Figaro,” “Don Giovanni,” and “Falstaff.”
Terfel is also known for his commitment to supporting music education and the arts in his native Wales. He is a patron of numerous music organizations and serves on the board of directors for the Welsh National Opera.
Throughout his career, Terfel has won numerous awards and honors, including two Grammy Awards and the Queen’s Medal for Music. He has also been awarded the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions to music and the arts.
Today, Terfel continues to perform and record music, and his legacy as one of the greatest bass-baritones of all time lives on. His recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
12. Cecilia Bartoli
Cecilia Bartoli is an Italian mezzo-soprano who is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of her generation. Born in Rome in 1966, Bartoli began her singing career as a child and quickly developed a reputation as a prodigious talent. She rose to international fame in the 1990s and 2000s, becoming known for her performances in operas such as “The Marriage of Figaro,” “Carmen,” and “La Cenerentola.”
Bartoli is known for her impeccable technique and her ability to convey deep emotion through her singing. She is particularly celebrated for her interpretations of Baroque and early classical music, and has recorded numerous albums of works by composers such as Vivaldi, Handel, and Mozart.
Throughout her career, Bartoli has won numerous awards and honors, including several Grammy Awards and the title of Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France. She is also a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Today, Bartoli continues to perform and record music, and her legacy as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of all time lives on. Her recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
13. Rene Pape
René Pape is a German bass-baritone who is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of his generation. Born in Dresden in 1964, Pape began his singing career in his early 20s and quickly established himself as a talented young performer. He rose to international fame in the 1990s and 2000s, becoming known for his performances in operas such as “Don Giovanni,” “The Marriage of Figaro,” and “Carmen.”
Pape is known for his powerful voice and his ability to convey deep emotion through his singing. He is particularly celebrated for his interpretations of the works of Wagner, and has performed in numerous productions of Wagner’s operas, including “Tristan und Isolde,” “The Flying Dutchman,” and “Parsifal.”
Throughout his career, Pape has won numerous awards and honors, including several Grammy Awards and the title of Kammersänger (Chamber Singer) in Germany. He is also a recipient of the Echo Klassik Award, one of the most prestigious awards for classical music in Germany.
Today, Pape continues to perform and record music, and his legacy as one of the greatest bass-baritones of all time lives on. His recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
14. Monsterrat Caballe
Montserrat Caballé was a Spanish operatic soprano who was widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century. Born in Barcelona in 1933, Caballé began her singing career as a child and quickly developed a reputation as a prodigious talent. She rose to international fame in the 1960s and 1970s, becoming known for her performances in operas such as “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “Norma,” and “Aida.”
Caballé was known for her stunning voice and her ability to convey deep emotion through her singing. She was particularly celebrated for her interpretations of the works of Verdi, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest interpreters of his music. She also recorded numerous albums of popular and classical music, including collaborations with Freddie Mercury and Plácido Domingo.
Throughout her career, Caballé won numerous awards and honors, including the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts and the National Music Prize in Spain. She was also made a Dame Commander of the Order of Isabella the Catholic for her contributions to music.
Caballé passed away in 2018 at the age of 85, but her legacy as one of the greatest sopranos of all time lives on. Her recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
15. Jussi Bjorling
Jussi Björling was a Swedish tenor who is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century. Born in 1911 in Sweden, Björling was the son of two professional opera singers and began his singing career as a child. He rose to international fame in the 1930s and 1940s, becoming known for his performances in operas such as “La Bohème,” “Tosca,” and “Rigoletto.”
Björling was known for his pure, powerful voice and his ability to convey deep emotion through his singing. He was particularly celebrated for his interpretations of the works of Verdi, Puccini, and Mozart, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest interpreters of their music. He also recorded numerous albums of popular and classical music, including collaborations with other famous singers such as Robert Merrill and Renata Tebaldi.
Throughout his career, Björling won numerous awards and honors, including the Swedish Royal Medal and the Litteris et Artibus Medal. He also had a street in Stockholm named after him, and a statue of him was erected in the city’s Kungsträdgården park.
Björling passed away in 1960 at the age of 49, but his legacy as one of the greatest tenors of all time lives on. His recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
16. Kiri Te Kanawa
Kiri Te Kanawa is a New Zealand soprano who is widely regarded as one of the greatest opera singers of the 20th century. Born in 1944 in New Zealand, Te Kanawa began her singing career as a young woman and quickly developed a reputation as a prodigious talent. She rose to international fame in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming known for her performances in operas such as “Cosi fan tutte,” “The Marriage of Figaro,” and “La Traviata.”
Te Kanawa was known for her stunning voice and her ability to convey deep emotion through her singing. She was particularly celebrated for her interpretations of the works of Mozart, Strauss, and Verdi, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest interpreters of their music. She also recorded numerous albums of popular and classical music, including collaborations with other famous singers such as Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo.
Throughout her career, Te Kanawa won numerous awards and honors, including the Order of Merit in the United Kingdom and the Order of Australia. She was also made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to music.
Te Kanawa retired from singing in 2017, but her legacy as one of the greatest sopranos of all time lives on. Her recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
17. Beniamino Gigli
Beniamino Gigli was an Italian tenor who was widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of the early 20th century. Born in 1890 in Italy, Gigli began his singing career as a young man and quickly developed a reputation as a prodigious talent. He rose to international fame in the 1920s and 1930s, becoming known for his performances in operas such as “La Bohème,” “Carmen,” and “Pagliacci.”
Gigli was known for his powerful, expressive voice and his ability to convey deep emotion through his singing. He was particularly celebrated for his interpretations of the works of Verdi, Puccini, and Mozart, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest interpreters of their music. He also recorded numerous albums of popular and classical music, including collaborations with other famous singers such as Maria Caniglia and Ezio Pinza.
Throughout his career, Gigli won numerous awards and honors, including the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and the Gold Medal for Fine Arts in Spain. He was also made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to music.
Gigli passed away in 1957 at the age of 67, but his legacy as one of the greatest tenors of all time lives on. His recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
18. Beverly Sills
Beverly Sills was an American soprano who is widely regarded as one of the greatest opera singers of the 20th century. Born in 1929 in New York City, Sills began her singing career as a young woman and quickly developed a reputation as a prodigious talent. She rose to international fame in the 1960s and 1970s, becoming known for her performances in operas such as “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “The Barber of Seville,” and “La Traviata.”
Sills was known for her stunning voice and her ability to convey deep emotion through her singing. She was particularly celebrated for her interpretations of the works of Donizetti and Handel, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest interpreters of their music. She also recorded numerous albums of popular and classical music, including collaborations with other famous singers such as Placido Domingo and Marilyn Horne.
Throughout her career, Sills won numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts. She was also made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to music.
Sills retired from singing in 1980, but her legacy as one of the greatest sopranos of all time lives on. Her recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
19. Sherril Milnes
Sherrill Milnes is an American baritone who is widely regarded as one of the greatest opera singers of the 20th century. Born in 1935 in Illinois, Milnes began his singing career as a young man and quickly developed a reputation as a prodigious talent. He rose to international fame in the 1960s and 1970s, becoming known for his performances in operas such as “Rigoletto,” “Macbeth,” and “Don Giovanni.”
Milnes was known for his powerful voice and his ability to convey deep emotion through his singing. He was particularly celebrated for his interpretations of the works of Verdi and Mozart, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest interpreters of their music. He also recorded numerous albums of popular and classical music, including collaborations with other famous singers such as Luciano Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland.
Throughout his career, Milnes won numerous awards and honors, including several Grammy Awards and the National Medal of Arts. He was also made a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic for his contributions to music.
Milnes retired from singing in 2008, but his legacy as one of the greatest baritones of all time lives on. His recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
20. Kathleen Battle
Kathleen Battle is an American soprano who is widely regarded as one of the greatest opera singers of the 20th century. Born in 1948 in Ohio, Battle began her singing career as a young woman and quickly developed a reputation as a prodigious talent. She rose to international fame in the 1980s and 1990s, becoming known for her performances in operas such as “The Magic Flute,” “La Boheme,” and “Rigoletto.”
Battle was known for her stunning voice and her ability to convey deep emotion through her singing. She was particularly celebrated for her interpretations of the works of Mozart and Handel, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest interpreters of their music. She also recorded numerous albums of popular and classical music, including collaborations with other famous singers such as Placido Domingo and Wynton Marsalis.
Throughout her career, Battle won numerous awards and honors, including several Grammy Awards and the National Medal of Arts. She was also made a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government for her contributions to music.
Battle retired from singing in 1997, but her legacy as one of the greatest sopranos of all time lives on. Her recordings and performances continue to inspire new generations of music lovers around the world.
Simon Robinson is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
