- published: 02 Jul 2008
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Risë Stevens ( /ˈriːsə/; born June 11, 1913, New York City) is a retired American operatic mezzo-soprano.
Born Risë Steenberg to Christian and Sarah (née Mechanic) Steenberg, known as "Sadie". Her father was of Norwegian Lutheran descent and her mother was Jewish, of Polish and Russian descent. She had a younger brother, Lewis "Bud" Steenberg. She studied at New York's Juilliard School for three years. She went to Vienna, where she was trained by Marie Gutheil-Schoder and Herbert Graf. She made her début as Mignon in Prague in 1936 and stayed there until 1938, also appearing in guest appearances at the Vienna State Opera.
She was engaged at the Teatro Colón in 1938 (as Octavian) and was invited to the Glyndebourne Festival in 1939 where she was heard as Dorabella and Cherubino. In 1938 she made her début at the Metropolitan Opera as Mignon. Three days later, she sang Octavian opposite Lotte Lehmann. The film industry in Hollywood produced several films for her, including The Chocolate Soldier (1941) with Nelson Eddy and Going My Way (1944) with Bing Crosby, the latter film crediting Stevens as a contralto.
Rise Stevens "Habanera" Carmen
RISE STEVENS " "Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix" from "The Chocolate Soldier
NEA Opera Honors: Interview with Risë Stevens
Risë Stevens: "Songs My Mother Taught Me" - Part I of II
Rise Stevens "Gypsi song" from Carmen
NEA Opera Honors: Susan Graham on Risë Stevens
Risë Stevens - "Che farò senza Euridice?" (in STEREO!)
Risë Stevens In Opera & Song
Rise Stevens "Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix"
Risë Stevens - Carmen : Seguidilla - Près des remparts de Séville (Bizet)
Rise Stevens "Seguidille" Carmen
RISE STEVENS ! "HABANERA" from CARMEN ~improved HQ AUDIO
Risë Stevens "Beware of a hawk, my baby" Natoma
(Best)Rise Stevens Mario del Monaco-Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix-Samson et Dalia-ACT 2