Teresa Berganza

Mezzo-soprano Teresa Berganza's career always had something of a Spanish flavor to it, even though she excelled in Mozart and Rossini roles and other elements of the traditional repertory. She consistently championed Spanish music, from zarzuela to the songs of Granados and Falla. She also sang the title role of Carmen frequently, bringing her own unique sense of the character to both stage and recordings. A musician of unusual breadth and ability, Berganza was also a prominent recitalist, specializing in Spanish song, but she also sang Mussorgsky and others. She was protective of her voice and what she allowed audiences to hear throughout her career, which contributed to its longevity from the late '50s to her retirement in 2008. Among her recordings, her Rosina and her collection of Spanish songs on Claves are both outstanding.