Classical Music Awards: Female Singer of the Year - Cheryl Studer: Artists strike triumphant note on big awards night

DESCRIBING her voice as lirico spinto, she is nevertheless notable for the variety and extent of her operatic roles, of which she has already sung more than 50. Wagner and Verdi, bel canto and lieder - they are all open to her. Born in Michigan, she completed her training in Vienna and sang during the early 1980s at German opera houses, making a brilliantly received Bayreuth debut as Elisabeth in 1985. In the past year her appearances have included a recital tour of Europe, Die Frau ohne Schatten at Salzburg, and La traviata with Pavarotti at the New York Metropolitan. She believes her voice is getting richer in the middle, and bigger: 'losing a little flexibility, but the artistry is coming into play now'.

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Artists strike triumphant note on big awards night