Ewa Podles is one of the world's leading contraltos, equally successful in the worlds of opera and concert music. Her voice possesses the rich, flexible, perhaps even masculine, quality that separates the true contralto from the mezzo-soprano, and which has invited comparison to the likes of
Marilyn Horne,
Kathleen Ferrier, and
Marian Anderson. Her range, both musically and vocally, has made her successful in a variety of genres and styles, including the operas of
Rossini and
Verdi, the songs of
Chopin, and a broad selection of Russian repertoire.
Podles was born in Warsaw on April 26, 1954. The daughter of a successful Polish contralto, she first attracted attention while still a student in Warsaw, where she was engaged by the local company to sing Rosina in
Rossini's Barber of Seville. Her career developed quickly, and she began to make international appearances as early as 1982. The lighter quality that characterized
Podles' voice early on allowed for excellent performances of such roles as
Rossini's Cenerentola and
Bizet's Carmen as well as some lighter Russian roles. However, as her voice developed, it took on a more characteristic dark quality that opened up a wider selection of parts, including
Verdi's Eboli (Don Carlos) and Ulrica (Un Ballo in maschera). Her signature performance has for some time been the title role in
Rossini's Tancredi. She also sings La Donna del Lago and L'Italiana in Algeri.
Podles has a very effective recital program called "
Rossini Arias for Contralto," which she has sung with the
Moscow Chamber Orchestra in New York's Carnegie Hall.
Podles' recordings have been well received, including a disc of
Chopin songs with pianist
Garrick Ohlsson, Melodies Russes (Grand Prix de l'Academie Française du Disque), and
Tancredi (nominated for a Grammy).