March 28, 2019

Has a woman ever encored?

Question

We have been seeing tenors encore at the Met recently, has woman ever encored... Anywhere?

Answer

Funny that it's always the guy who always seem to get the encore in opera performances — at least, as far as arias (as opposed to duets and ensembles) are concerned. La Scala recently encored the Act Two soprano/baritone duet from Rigoletto, and many years ago in Joan Sutherland's early days of stardom at Covent Garden, she and her five colleagues had to encore the sextet at a Lucia di Lammermoor performance. But a female *solo* being encored in opera? I just can't remember any mention of one!!

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