Alfreda Hodgson

The tragically short-lived Alfreda Hodgson was one of England's most-respected mezzo-sopranos, regarded with much affection by many colleagues and conductors who were all inspired by her deep and intuitive musicianship. Her voice was a full mezzo-soprano of great warmth, if sometimes one of imperfect steadiness. While she occasionally sang in opera, her greatest imprint was made on the concert stage, both in recital and in orchestral performance. Many recordings survive to attest to her stature as a singer. Within Hodgson's recorded legacy are many significant items, including Das Lied von der Erde with conductor Jascha Horenstein, Robert Shaw's final recording of Messiah, and an English-language recording of Bach's St. John Passion led by Benjamin Britten.