Anne Sofie von Otter

Since the early 1980s, Anne Sofie von Otter has staked her reputation in the opera world on her versatility and urge to challenge both herself and her audience with her choice of repertoire. Born in 1955 in Stockholm, the Swedish mezzo-soprano attended conservatory in her hometown and in London, developing a coloratura proficiency that positioned her well for parts in comic opera and opera seria. Her breakout appearance was as Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro—first at Covent Garden (1985) and then at the Met (1988)—but throughout her career, she has pushed beyond the types of roles usually associated with her vocal profile. She began a recording career with Deutsche Grammophon in the late 1980s, often collaborating with concert pianist Bengt Forsberg. Her wide-ranging discography includes lute song and early opera, Mahler orchestral art songs—including Des Knaben Wunderhorn, a stunning 1999 collaboration with celebrated bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff—and pop collaborations like 2001’s For the Stars, her joint album with Elvis Costello. In the 2010s, she continued to take on increasingly daring projects, premiering new works by contemporary composers (Thomas Adès, Sebastian Fagerlund, Rufus Wainwright) while expanding the programming at her popular recitals to traverse traditions including grand opera, Impressionist art song and holy minimalism and incorporating tunes from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Kate Bush and Björk.