Gabriela Beňačková

Gabriela Beňačková (also Gabriela Beňačková-Čápová: born March 25, 1947) is a Slovak lyric soprano.

She specializes in the music of her compatriots, particularly Eugen Suchoň, as well as Czech composers, notably Bedřich Smetana and Leoš Janáček. She is considered to be one of the greatest 'Jenufa's' in Janáček's opera of the same name. Her Carnegie Hall performance (and subsequent Metropolitan Opera run with Leonie Rysanek) is considered to be legendary.

In 1981 Czech television starred Mrs Benackova in a definitive version of Prodana Nevesta (The Bartered Bride), which has since become a popular DVD recording available in an all-regions format(2006). That recording teamed her with the heroic tenor (fellow Slovak) Peter Dvorsky, and with bass Richard Novak and other popular singers. She completed her farewell recital tour in 2008.

She has made a number of recordings, and has appeared in several filmed operas on DVD, as well as the feature film The Divine Emma, where she supplied the singing voice of the famous Czech soprano Emmy Destinn. Her voice can also be heard in the movie Driving Miss Daisy singing title role "Rusalka" by Dvořák, and in Copycat singing Puccini's aria Vissi d'arte from the opera Tosca.

She has appeared as Fidelio/Leonore in the Royal Opera House production of Fidelio (1991). In 2012, she sang the difficult role of the Comtesse de la Roche, in Die Soldaten, at the Salzburg Festival, a production now on DVD.

She has made a beautiful recording in the title role Rusalka by Dvořák. The conductor was Vaclav Neumann.

Recordings

• Leoš Janáček: Jenůfa Gabriela Beňačková with Naděžda Kniplová, Vilém Přibyl, Vladimír Krejčík, Janáček Theatre in Brno opera and chorus conducted by František Jílek (1977–1978) Supraphon CD SU 3869-2.
• Smetana - The Bartered Bride Gabriela Beňačková with Peter Dvorský, Richard Novák, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Veselá, Czech Philharmonic conducted by Zdeněk Košler, Supraphon DVD
• Gabriela Beňačková From the Heart: Mikuláš Schneider-Trnavský Songs about Mother: If Only They Knew; Mother; If I Knew; Little Flower: Far and Wide; The Nightingale; A Lovely Dream; Student Period Songs: The Settler; The Bowed Rose; Your Shy Eyes; The Girl Is Being Married; From My Heart: The Withering Tree; The Cuckoo; Roses.

References

• IMDB page, accessed 21 January 2010
• Review of The Bartered Bride recording, accessed 21 January 2010
• Review of Beethoven Symphony No. 9 concert recording, accessed 21 January 2010
• Review of Rusalka recording, accessed 21 January 2010