Harwood, Elizabeth (1938–1990)
Harwood, Elizabeth (1938–1990)
English concert soprano. Name variations: Elizabeth Jean Harwood; also seen as Elisabeth Harwood. Born May 27, 1938, in Barton Seagrave, England; died June 21, 1990, in Ingatestone, England; attended Royal Manchester College of Music (1955–60); m. Julian A.C. Royle, 1966; children: Nicholas Royle.
Best remembered for interpretations of Mozart and Strauss, made debut in Die Zauberflöte at Glyndebourne (1960); won Kathleen Ferrier Prize (1960), allowing her to spend year in Milan studying with Verdi expert, Lina Pagliughi; joined Sadler's Wells Opera (1961); won Verdi Prize of Busseto (1963); toured Australia with Sutherland Williamson Company (1965), alternating with Joan Sutherland in leading roles; performed at Aix-en-Provence Festival and made debut at Covent Garden in Arabella (1967); sang regularly at Glasgow's Scottish Opera (1967–74), where she appeared in internationally acclaimed production of Cosi fan tutte (1967); appeared regularly for conductor Herbert von Karajan at Salzburg Festival (from 1969); made debut at Milan's La Scala (1972) and Metropolitan Opera (1975), returning to NY for 1977–78 season; gave final operatic performance for The Buxton Festival (1983); toured New Zealand (1983), Australia (1986) and British Columbia (1988); particularly associated with Handel's Messiah, performing it over 100 times beginning at age 16.