Famous Opera Singers

The most famous opera singers of the world have really taken the magic of opera to the next level. Opera is a great source of entertainment for many people around the world, and it has been around for centuries now. Since the time opera began in Italy in the 16th century, it has captured the imagination of millions of people, and left them captivated by the sheer power and incredible subtlety of the shows.

Opera is a sort of musical show where the singers have an extremely forceful voice, and use a multitude of singing scales and tools to tell a story (also known as a libretto). Early theater and entertainment all began with the advent of the opera, and for many years it was considered the privilege of the very rich and affluent classes. In the recent past, opera has opened up to the people from different working classes as well, and its popularity has soared. The most famous opera singers of the world are very well-known in these circles, and they receive a great deal of respect and adulation from their audiences and peers alike.

Famous Male Opera Singers
Early opera singers were merely part-time performers, but over the years this has become a full-time profession. The most famous male opera singers were the ones with the best and most powerful voices, and they got all the best lead roles in the show.

Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007) was an Italian opera singer and is probably, one of the most recognized and well-known faces in the industry. He was a part of 'The Three Tenors', and began with his professional career in 1961. He performed in opera houses all over the world, and his tone and voice captivated many listeners over the years. He was and still is known as one of the best classical singers of his time and generation.

Jose Carreras
Jose Carreras (born 1946) is a Spanish opera singer, and is one of the most famous opera singers around. He also was a part of 'The Three Tenors' and began his career at the tender age of 11. He has played over 60 roles in his amazing career as an opera singer around the world, and is very well-known within all opera circles.

Placido Domingo
Placido Domingo (born 1941) is yet another Spanish opera singer, and he completed 'The Three Tenors'. He has played almost 130 roles in his career and he also conducts many operas and concerts all over the world. His voice is known to possess a great amount of dramatism and ringing, and his versatility is very well-known and acclaimed.

Enrico Caruso
Enrico Caruso (1873-1921) was an Italian tenor who made his name by performing in the best opera houses in Europe and North America. He made his debut at the age of 22 and never looked back since then. He was the most famous and popular opera singer of his era and received many awards and acclamations for his talents.

Feodor Chaliapin
Feodor Chaliapin (1873-1938) was the most famous Russian opera singer of the 20th century, and was master of a very strong and magical baritone. The power of his bass voice and his amazing musical presentation and awareness made him one of the most renowned and famous opera singers of all time.

Some more famous male opera singers were Jussi Bjorling (1911-1960), Beniamino Gigli (1890-1957) and Joseph Legros (1739-1793). Read more about famous Italian opera singers.

Famous Opera Female Singers
A famous opera singers list would be incomplete without any mention of the best female opera singers. The melody to an opera performance was provided by the females, and the range of high singing that some of these famous opera female singers displayed was simply breathtaking.

Maria Callas
Maria Callas (1923-1977) was a Greek singer, and is easily, one of the most famous female opera singers of all time. Her voice was extremely versatile and magically melodious, and she enraptured audiences from all corners of the world throughout her illustrious career. She was raised in New York and this may have been the reason why her life was seemingly littered with scandal. But this never cloaked her brilliant talent, and she has been rightly named 'La Divina'.

Joan Sutherland
Joan Sutherland (Born 1926) is an Australian opera singer and is one of the most remarkable and famous opera singers of all time. She has been nicknamed 'La Stupenda', due to her stupendous abilities as a singer, and she possesses one of the most beautiful and powerful voices around. She has earned tremendous respect from her contemporaries, and it is easy to see why.

Rosa Ponselle
Rosa Ponselle (1897-1981) was an American singer, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest and best sopranos of the last 100 years. The richness and depth of her magnetic voice has led many people to compare her voice with wine and chocolate.

Nellie Melba
Nellie Melba (1861-1931) was an Australian opera singer, and gained great fame, as people viewed her voice as extremely pure and rare. She received great accolades for her performances, and she was the first Australian to gain international recognition as a classical musician.

Montserrat Caballe
Montserrat Caballe (born 1933) is a Spanish singer, and is very well-known for her interpretations of many previous opera works. She made her professional debut in 1956 and never looked back since then. She has played over 80 different roles in her career and her voice is known for its power and control.

These famous opera singers are just the tip of the iceberg as there are many other famous singers and performers as well. It just happens that these are the most well-known. Some of these singers were the best singers of their generation, and their work will never be forgotten.