Popp, Lucia (1939–1993)

Czech-born Austrian soprano. She studied in Bratislava, and in 1963 appeared at the Vienna Staatsoper and at Salzburg. She made her London debut in 1966 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, as Oscar; she returned to perform Gilda, Despina, Sophie, Eva, and Arabella (1986). Her New York debut was made at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1967, as Queen of Night, a role which she recorded with Klemperer. Other roles included Sophie, the Marschallin, Pamina, Ilia, and Zerlina. She was much admired for her charming stage presence, and was in demand as a concert singer, for example in Orff and Mahler.