Ewa Podles

With her three-octaves-plus range and dark yet agile voice, contralto Ewa Podleś became famous for difficult bel canto roles and other major 19th century Italian parts. She easily made the transition to the increased frequency of Baroque opera performances, for she could perform the meaty castrato roles of Handel and other Baroque composers. Although the year 1954 was sometimes reported, Podleś was born in Warsaw on April 26, 1952. Her mother was also a contralto. Podleś studied at the Warsaw Academy of Music with Alina Bolechowska. Podleś's career began during her student ye...