Ildikó Raimondi has the voice of an angel!
Ildikó Raimondi is one of Vienna’s most beloved Opera singers. She is a Hungarian-Austrian operatic soprano, a member of the Vienna State Opera ensemble since 1991, and an academic voice teacher at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. But above all, Ildiko refers to herself as a European. Her multicultural background and broad experience took her from a Hungarian village in Romania to Italy and finally to the city of her dreams, Vienna. The city welcomed her with open arms, and in turn, she graced Vienna with her artistic talent. Most recently, she was awarded the Austrian honorific title of Kammersängerin, a designation reserved for distinguished opera and classical music singers.
And the heart of a warrior.
Ildikó was born on 11 November 1962 in Arad, a small and destitute town in Romania, populated by a Hungarian minority. In her own words, she describes her childhood as beautiful even though it was characterized by poverty. There was no gap between the poor and the rich. Everyone was poverty-stricken. That is probably why she did not realize the extent of the poverty she had lived in. Not until she moved to Italy. She has not forgotten those days and is highly engaged in supporting those less fortunate, especially children, and actively furthering young musical talent.
There is no reason for female singers of a certain age, still in their prime be overlooked for significant castings simply due to their age. She proved that when at 50 she was cast in the role of Marzelline in Beethoven’s Fidelio. Ms. Raimondi is very active in raising awareness for female equality of treatment in the music industry.
At home in Vienna
The soprano is forever present. Ildiko Raimondi is a prime example of successful integration in its most positive sense. Ildiko is European, and in that sense, she is Viennese. That is one of the reasons Ms. Raimondi is so cherished in Vienna, Salzburg, and Austria in general. She has made Vienna her home. Ildikó chose to remain a Vienna State Opera Ensemble-member instead of simply guesting on its stage. The Viennese refer to singers, especially opera singers, who have wormed their way into the Viennese heart as “our” or “unsere“.
Ildikó Raimondi has more than earned the loving title of “unsere Ildikó.”
Her album Wiener Lieder is a love song dedicated to Vienna. Recorded with the Wiener Symphonia Schrammeln, Ildikó interprets songs typical for Vienna. It is a must-hear to understand the Viennese soul.