The native form of this personal name is Ilosfalvy Róbert. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.
Róbert Ilosfalvy (June 18, 1927 – January 6, 2009) was a Hungarian operatic tenor; he possessed a voice of lyric grace and dramatic power enabling him to sing a wide range of roles in the Italian, German, and French repertories.[1]
Life
Born in Hódmezővásárhely, Hungary, he began his career as a cantor singing in the Szentharomsag (Holy Trinity) Roman Catholic Church in his hometown,[2] before studying at the Budapest Music Academy with Andor Lendvai. In 1953, after winning a first prize in a vocal competition in Bucharest, he made his operatic debut there. He returned to Hungary and sang at the Budapest Opera, also making guest appearances in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Russia.
He is probably best known for his 1969 recording of Roberto Devereux, opposite Beverly Sills. Also available is a 1976 "pirate" recording of the tenor in La fanciulla del West, with Anja Silja. Both recordings are conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras.
Ilosfalvy died on January 6, 2009, aged 81, his remains are interred in Budapest's Szent Anna Roman Catholic Church.[3]
References
^[1] Az Operaházban ravatalozzák a magyar énekest - szerdán temetik Ilosvay Róbertet. 2009. január 28-án szerdán lesz a magyar opera egyik legkimagaslóbb énekesének, Ilosfalvy Róbertnek temetése. A Magyar Állami Operaházban felállított ravatalt követően a Batthyány téri Szent Anna templom urnatemetőben helyezik örök nyugalomra a világhírű énekest.
^[2] Pályák, szerepek - Ilosfalvy Róbert
- zéta -, 2007-06-18 [ Esszék és tanulmányok ]