# Waltraud Meier

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German opera singer

**Waltraud Meier** (born 9 January 1956) is a German retired [dramatic soprano](/source/Dramatic_soprano) and [mezzo-soprano](/source/Mezzo-soprano) singer. She is particularly known for her [Wagnerian](/source/Richard_Wagner) roles as [Kundry](/source/Parsifal), [Isolde](/source/Tristan_und_Isolde), [Ortrud](/source/Lohengrin_(opera)), [Venus](/source/Tannh%C3%A4user_(opera)), [Fricka](/source/Die_Walk%C3%BCre), and [Sieglinde](/source/Die_Walk%C3%BCre), but has also had success in the French and Italian repertoire appearing as [Eboli](/source/Don_Carlos), [Amneris](/source/Aida), [Carmen](/source/Carmen), and [Santuzza](/source/Cavalleria_rusticana). She resides in [Munich](/source/Munich).

Meier has performed in the world's famed opera houses (including [La Scala](/source/La_Scala), [Covent Garden](/source/Royal_Opera%2C_London), [Metropolitan Opera](/source/Metropolitan_Opera), the [Vienna State Opera](/source/Vienna_State_Opera), the [Bavarian State Opera](/source/Bavarian_State_Opera), [Lyric Opera of Chicago](/source/Lyric_Opera_of_Chicago), and [Colón Theater](/source/Col%C3%B3n_Theater)). She performed Wagner at the Mecca of Wagner performance, the [Bayreuth Festspielhaus](/source/Bayreuth_Festspielhaus). She has performed under the batons of conductors including [Riccardo Muti](/source/Riccardo_Muti), [Daniel Barenboim](/source/Daniel_Barenboim), [Claudio Abbado](/source/Claudio_Abbado), [James Levine](/source/James_Levine), [Lorin Maazel](/source/Lorin_Maazel), [Zubin Mehta](/source/Zubin_Mehta), and [Giuseppe Sinopoli](/source/Giuseppe_Sinopoli). She has been named a "[Kammersängerin](/source/Kammers%C3%A4ngerin)" by both the Bavarian State Opera in Munich and the Vienna State Opera, and "Commandeur" of the [Ordre des Arts et des Lettres](/source/Ordre_des_Arts_et_des_Lettres) by the French Government.[1][2][3]

## Education, vocal training and early career

Waltraud Meier was born in [Würzburg](/source/W%C3%BCrzburg), [West Germany](/source/West_Germany).[4] She sang in various choral groups during her younger years. Upon finishing her secondary education, she began graduate studies in English and Romance Languages while also taking voice lessons. She studied singing with Professor Dietger Jacob.[4] In 1976, she decided to concentrate on a singing career and soon thereafter debuted at the Würzburg Opera as Lola in *[Cavalleria rusticana](/source/Cavalleria_rusticana)*. Over the next several years she performed regularly at the opera house in [Mannheim](/source/Mannheim) (1976–78).[4]

## 1980s

She made her international debut in 1980 at the [Teatro Colón](/source/Teatro_Col%C3%B3n) in [Buenos Aires](/source/Buenos_Aires),[4] appearing as Fricka in [Die Walküre](/source/Die_Walk%C3%BCre). She continued to appear regularly in West Germany at the opera houses in [Dortmund](/source/Theater_Dortmund) (1980–1983),[4] [Hanover](/source/Hanover) (1983–1984) and [Stuttgart](/source/Stuttgart) (1985–88). Following a success as Kundry in Wagner's *[Parsifal](/source/Parsifal)* at the 1983 [Bayreuth Festival](/source/Bayreuth_Festival), Meier's international career gained momentum, and she had debuts at [Covent Garden](/source/Royal_Opera_House) (1985) and the [Metropolitan Opera](/source/Metropolitan_Opera) (1987)[4] (as Fricka, with James Levine conducting his first *[Das Rheingold](/source/Das_Rheingold)* at the Met).[5]

She also had debuts at [La Scala](/source/La_Scala), the [Opéra National](/source/Op%C3%A9ra_National_de_Paris) in Paris, the Vienna State Opera and the Bavarian State Opera in Munich.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] She continued to appear regularly at [Bayreuth](/source/Bayreuth) as Kundry between 1983 and 1992.[6]

## 1990s

In addition to appearing as Kundry at Bayreuth, Meier continued to appear elsewhere in the role during the 1990s, including a 1991 production at La Scala under the baton of [Riccardo Muti](/source/Riccardo_Muti) and at the [Théâtre du Châtelet](/source/Th%C3%A9%C3%A2tre_du_Ch%C3%A2telet) in Paris, in a version staged by [Klaus Michael Grüber](/source/Klaus_Michael_Gr%C3%BCber) and conducted by [Semyon Bychkov](/source/Semyon_Mayevich_Bychkov). In 1992, she appeared for the first time as Kundry at the [Metropolitan Opera](/source/Metropolitan_Opera), opposite [Siegfried Jerusalem](/source/Siegfried_Jerusalem) as Parsifal, with [James Levine](/source/James_Levine) conducting. *The New York Times* reported: "Waltraud Meier, bringing her acclaimed performance as Kundry to the Met for the first time, was seductive and gentle in her first approach to Parsifal, holding in reserve a strength and determination that gave her singing an eerie calm."[7] The following year, Meier returned to the Met as Santuzza in *Cavalleria rusticana*. Of that performance, *The New York Times* wrote:

As Santuzza in "Cavalleria", Waltraud Meier was superb at the first performance on Friday evening, singing clearly and evenly throughout her range, carrying lines smoothly and coloring her tone richly. She gradually worked an incisive, telling edge into her voice without sacrificing its basic beauty; even her shrieks were musical. And she projected a riveting dramatic presence, convincingly fragile as well as ferocious.[8]

During the 1990s, Meier also moved into roles within the dramatic soprano repertoire. Between 1993 and 1999, she appeared at [Bayreuth](/source/Bayreuth) as Isolde in *[Tristan und Isolde](/source/Tristan_und_Isolde)* staged by [Heiner Müller](/source/Heiner_M%C3%BCller) and conducted by [Daniel Barenboim](/source/Daniel_Barenboim). In 1998 she added additional dramatic soprano roles, debuting as Leonore in *[Fidelio](/source/Fidelio)* with the [Chicago Symphony Orchestra](/source/Chicago_Symphony_Orchestra), again under the direction of Barenboim, and also appearing as Ortrud in a new *[Lohengrin](/source/Lohengrin_(opera))* production at the Bavarian State Opera.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## 2000s

In 2000, Meier appeared again at Bayreuth, performing the role of Sieglinde in *[Die Walküre](/source/Die_Walk%C3%BCre)* in the "Millennium Ring" at the 2000 festival staged by [Jürgen Flimm](/source/J%C3%BCrgen_Flimm) and conducted by [Giuseppe Sinopoli](/source/Giuseppe_Sinopoli) with [Plácido Domingo](/source/Pl%C3%A1cido_Domingo). She also appeared that year as Isolde at the [Salzburg Festival](/source/Salzburg_Festival), with [Lorin Maazel](/source/Lorin_Maazel) conducting. In 2001 at the opening of the [Munich Opera Festival](/source/Munich_Opera_Festival), the singer made her debut in the role of Didon in [Hector Berlioz](/source/Hector_Berlioz)'s *[Les Troyens](/source/Les_Troyens)* with [Zubin Mehta](/source/Zubin_Mehta) conducting. In 2003 Meier shared a [Grammy Award](/source/Grammy_Award) for Best Opera Recording for her contributions as Venus in *[Tannhäuser](/source/Tannh%C3%A4user_(opera))* under the direction of Daniel Barenboim.[9] She devoted her 2003–2004 season exclusively to recitals and concerts. She performed in [Bach](/source/Bach)'s *[St Matthew Passion](/source/St_Matthew_Passion_(Bach))* and toured throughout Europe, Russia and the United States with a recital program featuring works by [Brahms](/source/Brahms), [Schubert](/source/Schubert) and [Hugo Wolf](/source/Hugo_Wolf).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

She returned to the opera stage in 2004–2005, including appearances as [Carmen](/source/Carmen) in a new production at the [Semper Oper](/source/Semper_Oper) in [Dresden](/source/Dresden) directed by Katarina Lauterbach. In 2005, she appeared again as Isolde, this time in a new production at the [Opéra Bastille](/source/Op%C3%A9ra_Bastille) in Paris, staged by [Peter Sellars](/source/Peter_Sellars) and conducted by [Esa-Pekka Salonen](/source/Esa-Pekka_Salonen). She also returned to the Vienna State Opera as Kundry in *Parsifal*. She returned as Kundry in the Met's *Parsifal* in 2006, appearing opposite [Ben Heppner](/source/Ben_Heppner). *The New York Times* wrote:

The role of Kundry is that of a lone woman surrounded by men, but Waltraud Meier made it the star turn of the evening. Known as volatile both onstage and off, Ms. Meier is suited to the part, propelling herself into it like a wide-bore, high-explosive cannon shell. This was singing of fierceness and fearlessness, all of it pertinent to the persona she represented. Ms. Meier gives all and takes risks, and her audience went crazy for her.[10]

Meier's 2007 performances include appearances as Isolde (Japan, Berlin, Munich, Milan), Leonore (Munich), Ortrud (Milan, Paris). A CD featuring Meier and Breinl performing works by [Franz Schubert](/source/Franz_Schubert) and [Richard Strauss](/source/Richard_Strauss), with her song accompanist [Joseph Breinl](/source/Joseph_Breinl) was released in late 2007.[11] Meier and Breinl are performing numerous recitals in 2007–08 in Japan, Germany, France, Austria, and Spain.[12]

In July 2008, Meier appeared as Venus in a production of *[Tannhäuser](/source/Tannh%C3%A4user_(opera))* in [Baden-Baden](/source/Baden-Baden), directed by [Nikolaus Lehnhoff](/source/Nikolaus_Lehnhoff), conducted by [Philippe Jordan](/source/Philippe_Jordan), and also starring [Robert Gambill](/source/Robert_Gambill) (Tannhäuser), Stephen Milling (Herrmann), and [Camilla Nylund](/source/Camilla_Nylund) (Elisabeth). The [New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) reported that "Ms. Meier, a musician with deep reserves of force and a gift for madness, was the perfect Venus."[13] On 22 August 2009, she appeared in a televised concert performance of *[Fidelio](/source/Fidelio)* at a [Henry Wood Promenade Concert](/source/The_Proms) in London's [Albert Hall](/source/Albert_Hall) in which she also spoke a narration. This was reported as her 2,000th professional engagement. It was conducted by [Daniel Barenboim](/source/Daniel_Barenboim) with the [West-Eastern Divan (orchestra)](/source/West-Eastern_Divan_(orchestra)).

In the London *[Daily Telegraph](/source/Daily_Telegraph)* [Rupert Christiansen](/source/Rupert_Christiansen) wrote:

*She looked wonderfully elegant and was in good voice – some wild top notes seemed a small price to pay for her total musical and dramatic involvement in Leonore's fate. What a true star and a trouper she is.*

In 2023, after a five decade long career, Meier announced she would retire from the stage. She gave her final performance on 20 October 2023 at the [Berlin State Opera](/source/Berlin_State_Opera) as Klytämnestra in Strauss' *[Elektra](/source/Elektra_(opera))*.[14]

## Videography

- *[James Levine's 25th Anniversary Metropolitan Opera Gala](/source/James_Levine's_25th_Anniversary_Metropolitan_Opera_Gala)* (1996), Deutsche Grammophon DVD, B0004602-09 [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [894896498](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/894896498)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Staatsoper_2016_1-0)** ["Meier Waltraud"](https://www.staatsoper.de/biographien/detail-seite/meier-waltraud.html). *[Bayerische Staatsoper](/source/Bayerische_Staatsoper)* (in German). 12 July 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-MUSIK_HEUTE_2017_2-0)** ["Waltraud Meier wird Ehrenmitglied der Wiener Staatsoper"](http://www.musik-heute.de/15897/waltraud-meier-wird-ehrenmitglied-der-wiener-staatsoper/). *MUSIK HEUTE* (in German). 14 June 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Nachrichten_aus_Leipzig_-_Leipziger_Zeitung_2016_3-0)** ["Waltraud Meier erhält Richard-Wagner-Preis der Stadt Leipzig 2016 – Nachrichten aus Leipzig"](https://www.l-iz.de/melder/wortmelder/2016/04/waltraud-meier-erhaelt-richard-wagner-preis-der-stadt-leipzig-2016-135123). *Leipziger Zeitung* (in German). 21 April 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-E._West_1992_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-E._West_1992_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-E._West_1992_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-E._West_1992_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-E._West_1992_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-E._West_1992_4-5) J. Warrack and E. West, *The Oxford Dictionary of Opera* (1992).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Donal Henahan, [Opera; A New Rheingold at the Met](https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE7DF1F39F933A25753C1A961948260),*[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*, 14 March 1992.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Performance Database"](https://www.bayreuther-festspiele.de/en/fsdb/performers/waltraud-meier/). *Bayreuther Festspiele*. Retrieved 18 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Edward Rothstein, Review/Opera; A 'Parsifal' at the Met With Meier and Jerusalem](https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE0DC1F3EF937A25750C0A964958260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fOrganizations%2fM%2fMetropolitan%20Opera%20), *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*, 14 March 1992.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [James R. Oestreich, Review/Opera; 'Cav' and 'Pag' Return to the Met](https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE3DA1031F93BA25751C0A965958260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fOrganizations%2fM%2fMetropolitan%20Opera%20), *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*, 18 February 1993.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GRAMMY.com_2020_9-0)** ["Waltraud Meier"](https://www.grammy.com/artists/waltraud-meier/12028). *GRAMMY.com*. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Bernard Holland, Review/Opera; The Pageantry of Wagner and a Young Knight Looking for Truth](https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B05E2D6143EF936A25756C0A9609C8B63&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fOrganizations%2fM%2fMetropolitan%20Opera%20), *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*, 15 May 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Farao Classics"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080320093554/http://www.farao-classics.de/deutsch/katalog/w-meier_lieder.html). *Farao-classics.de*. Archived from [the original](http://www.farao-classics.de/deutsch/katalog/w-meier_lieder.html) on 20 March 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Profile](http://www.waltraud-meier.com/html/e/frame_e.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071021031407/http://www.waltraud-meier.com/html/e/frame_e.html) 21 October 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), Waltraud-Meier.com; accessed 22 February 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-The_New_York_Times_2008_13-0)** ["Bayreuth Festival and Festspielhaus: History Vs. Modernity in German Opera Season"](https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/arts/music/30tann.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. 30 July 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2021. (subscription required)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Miller, Ben (20 October 2023). ["After Nearly Five Decades, Waltraud Meier Takes Her Final Opera Bow"](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/19/arts/music/waltraud-meier-opera-retirement.html). *The New York Times*.

## Sources

- Liese, Kirsten, *Wagnerian Heroines. A Century Of Great Isoldes and Brünnhildes*, English translation: Charles Scribner, Edition Karo, Berlin, 2013. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [844683799](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/844683799)

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.waltraud-meier.com)

- [Waltraud Meier: photos, CDs, DVDs](http://www.wagneropera.net/RW-Performers/Waltraud-Meier.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081119152617/http://www.wagneropera.net/RW-Performers/Waltraud-Meier.htm) 19 November 2008 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Pensées wagnériennes: Confessions à Waltraud Meier](https://confessions-a-waltraud-meier.blogspot.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Waltraud Meier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waltraud_Meier) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waltraud_Meier?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.