Hunter, Rita (1933–2001)

English operatic soprano. She joined Sadler's Wells Opera Chorus in 1954, then, after a year with the Carl Rosa Company, she studied with Eva Turner, and, in 1959, returned to Sadler's Wells as a principal. It was not until she sang Brunnhilde in the English National Opera's Ring Cycle (1973) that the full potential of her powerful, dramatic, yet warmly lyrical voice was realized. She appeared at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, in Germany, and at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, where, as well as Brünnhilde, she sang Aïda and Norma to critical acclaim.

Hunter was born in Wallasey, England. From the 1970s to the 1990s her distinguished career included appearances as leading soprano with the New York Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, and Australian Opera, among others. She was also a regular guest soloist with many UK, European, and US orchestras. She also served as guest lecturer at the University of California at Los Angeles, the Royal Academy of Music, London, the Australian Institute of Music, Sydney, and the Melba Conservatorium, Melbourne.