Maureen Forrester remembered in song
Maureen Forrester, the great Canadian classical contralto singer, died last week at the age of 79. Her larger than life voice was matched by her larger than life public image. Although she had written her own autobiography in 1986, it was through her voice and support of Canadian arts that she will be most remembered.
Her contralto voice was especially suited Mahler:
She collaborated with the major Canadian music figures of her time in particular with Mario Bernardi and the National Arts Centre Orchestra recording Harry Sommers Five Songs for Dark Voice and also Murray Schafer Adieu Robert Schumann.
A very nice compilation of her singing is available below:
You may also enjoy her listening to her performance of Handel arias:
Her stage presence and acting ability were very strong as you can see from this Wagner DVD:
2 thoughts on “Maureen Forrester remembered in song”
I hadn’t heard of Maureen Forrester before this blog. I really enjoy Mahler’s song-symphony Das Lied Von Der Erde, and will now have to check out her recording. Thanks!
Maureen Forrester was by far the greatest Contralto that ever lived. I was grateful to have met her and to have studied with her teacher, Bernard Diamant, and to have shared John Newmark at the piano. May she rest in peace. Her singing of Mahler is like no other.