Gratuitous Friday – Lucia Popp Tribute on Stimmen Hören (Ö1 Radio)

It's hard to believe that Lucia Popp left the opera world 20 years ago, succumbing to brain cancer at the tender age of 54 (some say that's our vocal prime!) This week, on the Ö1 Radio program Stimmen Hören, Chris Tina Tengel reviews Ms. Popp's career with opera and Lieder recordings—mostly taken from live performances. 

The program opens with quotes of praise for her from Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Gundula Janowitz, and Brigitte Fassbaender (heady company indeed).  Here is a rough (mostly thanks to Google translate) translation of part of the program description:

There are artists who draw curiosity and interest, perhaps admiration and reverence. Others are loved. Among the well-beloved was Lucia Popp, soprano from Bratislava, whose career began with the Queen of the Night and led to Elisabeth in "Tannhäuser, Eva in Die Meistersinger. In memory of Lucia Popp, this program offers her performances from London, Cologne, Zurich, Vienna, and Salzburg. 

About 30 minutes in, we hear the "presentation of the rose" scene from Der Rosenkavalier with Brigitte Fassbaender. Heavenly! 

Reassurance for the non German speakers/understanders: There's not too much chat; it's almost all music. The program was broadcast this Thursday (yesterday) evening, and should be available for another week for replay. Thanks, Ö1 Radio!