Top 20 Greatest Opera Singers of All Time

Operatic pop actually has limited pop appeal as a rule. Andrea Bocelli may be the ultimate exception, as accomplished in commercial music as he is in his refined tenor. Blind since childhood, he used his vivid ear for great singers to develop a richly eclectic voice. Luciano Pavarotti himself helped give Bocelli his big break into the mainstream. Since then, Bocelli has earned renown with his blend of classical and various forms of pop. He's performed with the likes of Sarah Brightman, Renée Fleming and Bryn Terfel, as well as Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran and Céline Dion. Never mind his three musically gifted children. Commercial savviness aside, Bocelli has a voice to enchant anyone.

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, it didn’t take long for this former bank teller to become one of the most extensively recorded tenors of all time. After being tutored by a well-known Swedish tenor, he made his Royal Swedish Opera debut at 26, where he aced one of the most challenging tenor arias in existence. Before long, he was appearing in operas halls from La Scala in Italy to the Royal Opera House in London. This brilliant tenor, renowned for his work in Palestrina and I puritani, continued performing well into his 70’s.

Montserrat Caballé rose from a modest background in Spain to become a star for her sweeping vocal range and clean phrasing. But it was the distinctiveness and emotional purity that made this voice so iconic. Caballé’s popularity was further raised by “Barcelona”, a classical crossover album with Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. Of course, many of her recorded renditions of masterpieces, particularly by Verdi, are among the most recognizable. She won four Grammys, as well as honorific titles and orders of merit in several countries. The only title one needs to recognize is “La Superba”, “The Superb One”. With technical mastery and unmistakable passion, Caballé is considered one of the quintessential sopranos of her era.

Not many basses have hit the professional high notes of Nicolai Ghiaurov. His rich voice simply commanded attention. The Bulgarian classical prodigy won a scholarship to attend the esteemed Moscow Conservatory, and starred in some of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. He was particularly prolific at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Ghiaurov’s warm, weighty interpretation of some of the most coveted bass roles in opera made him a uniquely towering figure in his register. His voice and stage presence were so powerful that a mountain in Antarctica was named after him. That and many accolades, usually granted to upper-register singers, barely suggest the scope of Ghiaurov’s brilliance.

When legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini reopened La Scala, he boasted that Renata Tebaldi had “the voice of an angel.” The nickname “La Voce d'Angelo” would follow her throughout one of the most celebrated opera careers of the 20th century. Tebaldi’s unique style layered soprano variations over robust breath control. Her either smooth or sweeping legato was particularly well-regarded. Still, she continued training throughout her career, retiring at age 54 for fear of losing consistency. Alas, few recordings fully capture a voice that was too powerful to unleash directly into microphones. Tebaldi’s force and versatility are at least recorded by her stardom, awards, and alleged rivalry with Maria Callas. All we can confirm from interviews is that Callas envied Tebaldi’s angelic tone.

With opera's tragic history of discrimination, its color barrier took too long to break. Soaring spinto soprano Leontyne Price shattered it. She was raised on gospel in Mississippi, before excelling in classical training at Juilliard. She then rose from Broadway to become one of the most revered American singers on the international stage. Price’s stern presence and immense voice were simply undeniable. Her cultural significance matched by her patriotism, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964. Of course, the caliber of her roles, accolades and influence transcended race. Price’s eclectic style alone marked a breakthrough in the modernization of opera. However, few can challenge the voice that helped diversify a whole art form.

Creativity, emotion and technical ability are hard to reconcile at their heights. But Cecilia Bartoli makes it look effortless as a regular one-voice symphony. The mezzo-soprano’s flexible register and idiosyncratic vibrato are delivered with hypnotic passion. And her signature fast-paced runs are simply spectacular. Bartoli’s bold style made her a global sensation, performing the most iconic operas of the Baroque and Classical eras. Her honors include five Grammys, a Polar Music Prize, and the highest orders of cultural merit in Monaco and her native Italy. At the same time, some have been taken aback by Bartoli’s exaggerated aesthetic. With what she's capable of, though, it's always a wonder to hear her perform.

Born in Pennsylvania to two music teachers, Fleming showed an interest in music at an early age, gradually moving into a musical education that also included studying at the prestigious Juilliard School. It was while still a student there that she began to sing opera professionally, later winning the Metropolitan Opera Auditions at the age of 29. Since then, this award-winning lyric soprano has appeared all over the United States and the world performing in operatic roles ranging from German to Russian to French, and she has been praised for her singing in the works of Mozart, Strauss, and others.

Kiri Te Kanawa earned popularity in the 1960s by bringing an operatic technique to theatrical pop. After her 1971 debut at London’s Royal Opera House, the New Zealand lyric soprano became one of the most celebrated singers in the world. With impeccable range, lush tone and an incredible resumé, she’s won many of the highest accolades in opera. She also continued to masterfully adapt musicals, jazz and other genres. Te Kanawa’s outspoken love of music is enough to make her a star. She notably favored intimate venues before her retirement in 2017, and has been dedicated to promoting the next generation of virtuoso singers. Of course, not many could reach her vocal and professional heights.

Known as the “Swedish Caruso”, this tenor was taught to sing by his father and making his first public appearance when only four years old. Though his career was tragically short, dying at the age of 49 due to heart problems, he left a legacy that inspired many men to come after him, including Luciano Pavarotti. Known mostly for his shows at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, he was so dedicated to he still performed La bohème at the Royal Opera House despite suffering a heart attack just hours before.

Born in Norway to a conductor and pianist, Flagstad received training in the capital, Oslo, and made her debut there at age 18 at the National Theatre. Her vocal flexibility and eagerness to take on new roles progressed her quickly, and while touring in Scandinavia, caught the attention of the chairman of the Metropolitan Opera and was soon invited to New York, where her popularity shot through the roof. Known for her performance in Tristan und Isolde among others, this beauty and virtuoso in line and tone has been called the voice of the century.

While Franco Corelli was nicknamed the “Prince of the Tenors” partly for his good looks and charisma, his voice was kingly. He studied at the esteemed Pesaro Conservatory of Music, but forewent formal training to develop a unique style by ear. Corelli made it into a mainstream phenomenon with his sweeping, soulful technique. His extravagant showmanship may have polarized opera traditionalists, but it granted him a unique level of stardom by the 1960s. He was particularly well-known for his extensive work in New York’s Metropolitan Opera. With such power, however, Corelli retired with vocal fatigue just 25 years into his career. In that time, he redefined not only the image of an opera star, but the standard of ability and creativity.

At age 26, Dmitri Hvorostovsky made his international breakout as champion of the Cardiff Singer of the World competition. Just six years later, he won the highest artistic title in Russia. His baritone voice was pure gold, with chilling depth and marvelous scope. And the way he utilized it in lyrical relation to emotion and melody was as seamless as it was haunting. Hvorostovsky became one of the most sought-after baritones around, performing brilliantly until his final days. His death from cancer at age 55 was a great tragedy in the world of opera. Still, his massive body of work lives on as a prime example of his register and singing in general at their most enchanting.

Esteemed music critic Edward Rothstein once described Jessye Norman’s voice as a “grand mansion of sound.” That just barely suggests the scope of this unreal talent. Raised on gospel and trained at the Peabody Institute, Norman was capable of several voice types. As a dramatic soprano above all, she had a heavenly force and fluidity to overpower any orchestra. Her seemingly effortless mastery won many high honors around the world and five Grammys, including one for lifetime achievement. She performed in the most prestigious venues and at ceremonies for world leaders. It was a prolific career all the way to Norman's passing at age 74. Not simply a once-in-a-generation phenom in technique, Norman sang with the very sound of divinity.

Born to a poor family in Naples, Italy, this man, who originally sang on the street to raise money for his family, ended up becoming one of the most famous celebrities of his time. Debuting at the Teatro Nuovo in Naples, it wasn’t long before Caruso found himself at the Metropolitan Opera, where he showcased his powerful voice which could hit high C with confidence, even in his later years. Having toured through Europe and the Americas, the success and talent of this singer long surpassed his short life.

Born in Sydney, Australia, Sutherland was drawn to music after hearing and attempting to copy her mother’s singing at an early age. Although she made her concert debut in Sydney and studied music in several institutes, her breakthrough performance was in singing Lucia di Lammermoor at the Royal Opera House. Touring the world and with the likes of Pavarotti, her dramatic soprano voice and incredible intonation, staccatos, and unique trill earned her the respect of audiences everywhere and the nickname La Stupenda, or The Stunning One.

Born in Barcelona, to a working class family, he developed a love for singing early on and first sang publicly at the age of 8 in a broadcast on Spanish National Radio. After receiving an extensive musical education and support from the renowned soprano Montserrat Caballé, he progressed as an acclaimed tenor speedily. Known for his appearances in the works of composers like Verdi and Puccini, Carreras was said to have one of the most beautiful tenor voices of his time and grew to even greater fame as one of The Three Tenors.

This nine-time Grammy Award winner, tenor, and conductor was born to zarzuela performers that encouraged him to likewise pursue a musical career in Mexico. Known for his incredible versatility in voice, having performed some of the most difficult baritone musical pieces, as well as in role, with 147 roles to date, this multi-talented performer has also appeared in television, film, and the Olympics closing ceremonies. One of the best-rounded tenors in history, his performances as one of The Three Tenors and solo have been described as “monumental” and “unforgettable.”

Born in Northern Italy to a poor family, this former schoolteacher who allegedly never learned to read music later became one of the most commercially-successful tenors in history. First appearing internationally in Belgrade, Serbia, his talent took him to greater places, and his debut at the Metropolitan Hall in 1972 was so impressive that he received seventeen curtain calls. Touring far and wide, both on his own and as a member of The Three Tenors, his performances of the classic “Nessun Dorma” are perhaps some of his most memorable.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Mario Del Monaco (1915-82)
The “Brass Bull of Milan” was Famous for His Silky, Sophisticated Tenor Technique

Marilyn Horne (1934-)
A Highly Decorated Mezzo-Soprano of Celestial Beauty

Mario Lanza (1921-59)
As Much a Tragic Hollywood Idol as He Was a Cinematically Gifted Tenor

Beverly Sills (1929-2007)
The Superstar Soprano Stunned with Her Perfect Pitch & Extended Legato

Bryn Terfel (1965-)
The Swaggering Bass-Baritone is One of Wales’s Most Famous and Decorated Singers

Hailed as the greatest soprano of all time and considered an influence on countless musical artists, Callas was born in Manhattan, studied music in Greece, and launched her career in Italy. Though her life was marred by a difficult childhood, strained relationships with family members, weight problems, scandals, love affairs, rivalries with other singers, and personal tragedies, her vocal and dramatic gifts always outshone the negative. Though she was severely visually challenged she brought life, humanity, and beauty to nearly every role she took on, and for this, she has been called La Divina- the Divine One.

Which opera singers do you most love to hear? Give us your note in the comments.