Nilsson, Birgit (bĭr`gĭt nĭl`sən), 1918–2005, Swedish soprano. Her powerful voice first came to international attention at the Munich Opera, where she was heard (1954–55) as Brünnhilde in Wagner's Die Walküre and in the title role in Strauss's Salome. In 1959 she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City as Isolde. Although she was particularly noted for Wagnerian roles, Nilsson also performed in the Italian repertoire, notably as Turandot and Aïda. She retired in 1984.

Nilsson, Birgit

orig. Märta Birgit Svensson

(born May 17, 1918, Västra Karup, Swed.—died Dec. 25, 2005, Västra Karup) Swedish soprano. She made her debut in Stockholm in 1946, and she performed in the complete Ring cycle of Richard Wagner in Munich (1954–55). She went on to sing most of the major Wagnerian soprano roles at Bayreuth between 1954 and 1970; she was acclaimed as the greatest Wagnerian soprano of her time for the astonishing power and capacities of her rich voice. From 1959 she often sang at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Her other significant roles included Richard Strauss's Elektra and Salome, Giacomo Puccini's Turandot, and Ludwig van Beethoven's Leonore. She retired in 1984.