100 Singers - In Memoriam: SENA JURINAC

Sena Jurinac, Soprano (1921-2011)

The famous Yugoslav-Austrian soprano, Sena Jurinac, died on November 22th 2011. Her father was a Croatian doctor, her mother Viennese. She showed early signs of a musical talent and studied at the Zagreb Academy of Music, and also with Milka Kostrennin (the teacher of Zinka Milanov).
Sena Jurinac made her debut as Mimì at Zagreb in 1942. In the following two years she sang the Countess, Freia, Isabella in Werner Egk's premiere of COLUMBUS as well as in Yugoslavian operas. In 1944 (she was by then only 23 years old) she was contracted to the Vienna State Opera by Karl Böhm. Because of the War she was not able to sing until 1946 there (her first role was Cherubino). In the first year at the Staatsoper she had to sing more than 150 performances a year (far too much for a young singer). In the autumn of that year she came to London with the Vienna ensemble, singing Dorabella, the part she took with the Glyndebourne Opera at the Edinburgh Festival, where Fritz Busch became her mentor, and where she sang regularly for many years. She quickly established as one of the most admired members of the so-called Wiener Ensemble (which included also Seefried, Schwarzkopf, Ludwig, della Casa, Dermota, Kunz and others). In 1950 she appeared as Fiordiligi at Glyndebourne, to be followed by Donna Anna, Donna Elvira, Ilia, the Countess and Cherubino (one of her greatest creations, and in my personal opinion the best of all). At the Salzburg Festival she sang Dorabella, Cherubino and Amor, Eurydike, Marzelline, Elisabetta and Octavian (another highlight role). She performed the Countess in 1962 and the Composer in 1964. Regular appearances included performances at Covent Garden. In 1960 she sang an ardent and impassioned Octavian at the re-opened Festspielhaus at Salzburg opposite Lisa della Casa. Under the guidance of Herbert von Karajan she began to sing heavier roles: Desdemona, Leonora in La Forza del Destino, Elisabetta, Marina, Tosca, Butterfly, Jenufa, Iphigenia and even Leonore.
Sena Jurinac said farewell to the operatic stage as Marschallin at the Vienna State Opera in 1983 but continued to give recitals. She has been a sought-after singing coach for many years in Europe and the USA. Now she died age 90. The world has lost another legendary performer.

If you would like to offer your condolence or share your thoughts with us, please leave a comment!

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Music

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• Sena
• Jurinac
• Soprano

[chorallfully]

Treasured memories to add to those from Lenk in Switzerland where Sena Jurinac gave masterclasses in the 1980s. She was a fabulous, inspirational teacher with a wonderfully warm personality. Just the best; at least we still have recordings. But you are sorely missed.

[1sumiresan2]

Ruhe in Frieden, liebe Sena. Du hast uns so viel Freude und Genuss bereitet und warst noch dazu so ein liebenswerter und bescheidener Mensch. Halt eine echte Künstlerin.

Vielen Dank für diesen Beitrag!!!

[JefRoberts]

Farewell, Madame Jurinac. Your voice lives on in recordings.

[Onegin65]

May rest in peace



[ian1856]

Auf wiedersehen, Sena, und vielen Dank für alles. Du hast diese Welt bereichert.

[opusmusictw]

RIP

[512gontran]

Au revoir, Madame ♥

[gabarra]

Leb' wohl, Sena

[Kiarinadia]

Je viens de découvrir cette voix extraordinaire, une des plus belle du XXe siècle et je l'écouterai désormais pour les années à venir. C'est un bel âge 90 ans pour quitter le monde en nous laissant une trâce indélébile par sa voix.

[Bigman240]

R.I.P. LA GRANDE JURINAC