Alfredo Kraus

International tenor · 1927–1999

Alfredo Kraus
ContemporaryMusic20th CenturyWorld-famous tenor

International tenor

Light lyric tenor born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, recognised for his bel canto and French repertoire. He made his professional debut in Cairo in 1956 and developed an extensive stage and teaching career.

Early life

Alfredo Kraus Trujillo was born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 24 November 1927, the son of Otto Kraus Polensky and Josefina Trujillo Mujica. His vocal training took place in Barcelona, Valencia and Milan, where he worked with Mercedes Llopart.

Historical role

His professional debut took place at the Cairo Opera in January 1956, with Rigoletto and Tosca. In 1958 he sang La traviata at Lisbon's Teatro São Carlos alongside Maria Callas, and made his Metropolitan Opera debut in New York on 16 February 1966 in Rigoletto.

Legacy

Kraus became especially associated with bel canto and French repertoire, with a long international career, significant teaching activity in his later years and the 1991 Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts. He died in Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, on 10 September 1999. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium preserves his name as a reference in local cultural memory.

Timeline

  1. 1927Alfredo Kraus is born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
  2. 1956He made his professional opera debut in Cairo as the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto.
  3. 1958He sang La traviata in Lisbon alongside Maria Callas, a major international milestone in his career.
  4. 1966He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in New York in Rigoletto.
  5. 1999Alfredo Kraus dies in Boadilla del Monte, Madrid.

Sources and verification