Maria Stader

Maria Stader, a Hungarian-born Swiss lyric soprano, captivated audiences worldwide with her exquisite interpretations of Bach and Mozart. Born Maria Molnár in Budapest in 1911, Stader's journey began under the tutelage of renowned vocal coaches, including Therese Schnabel-Behr and Giannina Arangi-Lombardi. Her career spanned decades, marked by collaborations with celebrated conductors and a preference for the concert stage over opera. Stader's voice was renowned for its purity, flexibility, and impeccable pitch, making her a standout performer of Mozart arias and Bach cantatas. Beyond her performances, she also shared her knowledge through teaching and authored a book. Her legacy endures as one of the most distinguished sopranos of the 20th century, celebrated for her artistic depth and musical brilliance.