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Elisabeth Söderström

Anna Elisabeth Söderström CBE (married name Olow; 7 May 1927 – 20 November 2009) was a Swedish soprano who performed both opera and song, and was known as a leading interpreter of the works of Janáček, Rachmaninoff and Sibelius.[1] She was particularly well known for her recordings of the lead soprano roles in the three Janáček operas Jenůfa, Káťa Kabanová, and The Makropoulos Affair, all of which received Gramophone Awards.[2] The Gramophone critic John Warrack described her portrayal of Káťa Kabanová as "establishing by an infinity of subtle touches and discreet, sensitive singing the picture of Káta as the richest and most human character in the drama".[3]

Personal life[edit]

Elisabeth Söderström was married to commander Sverker Olow from 1950 until her death.[1] They lived in Lidingö.

Death[edit]

She died in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, on 20 November 2009, aged 82, from complications from a stroke.[8]

1959 – the Italian [9]

Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity

1972 – the Swedish [9][10]

Commander of the Royal Order of Vasa

1973 – the French [9]

Commandeur de l´Ordre des Arts et Lettres

1985 – the British [9]

Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

1997 – one of the locomotives was named after her[6]

Eurostar

Elisabeth Söderström received a number of honours, both in Sweden and abroad. Among them:

Humperdinck: , Columbia CD, M2K-35898 (US), M2K-79217 (Europe), 1988

Hänsel und Gretel

, Deutsche Grammophon DVD, 00440-073-4538, 2009

The Metropolitan Opera Centennial Gala

Janáček: (Sir Charles Mackerras conducting) Decca LP D14402, 1979. London LP, 12109 (US), 1980. Decca CD 723702, 2006[11]

Věc Makropulos

at Svenskt kvinnobiografiskt lexikon

Anna Elisabeth Söderström

– a British Library sound recording

An interview with Elisabeth Söderström recorded in 1992

by Bruce Duffie, 6 August 1997

Interview with Elisabeth Söderström