Nicolai Gedda: My Life and Art

by Aino S. Gedda and Nicolai Gedda

This autobiography is the first full-length book in English on Nicolai Gedda, born in Sweden in 1925 but deeply influenced by his Russian-born stepfather, himself a singer with a renowned Russian emigr choir. A leading tenor throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Gedda is acclaimed both for the beauty of his voice and the rare intelligence with which he uses it; he is perhaps the most versatile of tenors, equally at home in opera and song,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1574670484
• ISBN13: 9781574670486
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Globe Pequot Publishing Group Inc/Bloomsbury
• Length: 270 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

A refreshing look at a real divo.

This for any opera lover is a must. Mr Gedda was one of the great singers between the 1950s and 1980s, he did not take a backseat to any of his contemporary. His book is wonderful reading, it reveals the human side of a great artist and the humility of a grand person. Highly recommended reading, you will be overjoyed.

Gedda

The book is great, and gives us an understanding of what makes Mr. Gedda the artist that he is. I already knew a great deal about Mr. Gedda but it is wonderful to read about his life.

A fine biography of the great Swedish Tenor

Nicolai Gedda is one of the greatest Tenors of our time,and especially in French repertoire, he is second to none. This biography is a lovely gift to Gedda's admirers. It was to be hoped that there should be more information and data of his stage performances.

The truth....even if it hurts

After reading one of the reviews I wasn't so sure about this book; after all, I have been an great admirer of Nicolai Gedda since first hearing him at the Metropolitan in 1962 and I found it hard to imagine him as "petulant". I decided to take a chance on this book and I was very impressed by the truthfulness that Mr. Gedda has: unless you have been yourself a victim of psychological and emotional abuse it is very easy to state that the person is petty on past wrongs. That does not apply in Mr. Gedda's case at all: it seems like this biography is a form of journelling for him and he has finally been able to let go emotionally of the years of pent-up distress he suffered from the abuse in his family.....something NONE of the loyal fans that we were backstage at the Met had any clue about. Also, the book is very imformative as to his technique and opinions on literature: discography a little sketchy....I highly recommend this book: it must have hurt him to reveal all the suffering he went through, but he released his torment by doing that....and thanks to Aino, Nicolai Gedda has finally found the happiness he deserves, after giving all of us the pleasure of hearing him sing (through years of his inner struggles): read the book--it's worth it!

excellent autobiography of a great tenor

Many autobiographies are a dull recitation of "I sang here and there" and "My this and that." Nicolai Gedda's memoirs are one of the all-too-few volumes to rise above that and present a thoughtful story of an outstanding career. Of course, Mr Gedda discusses his performances and roles but they are done with a modesty that shows he didn't think the whole production revolved around him. My only quibble about the book is the lack of a true discography. The list of recordings and general dates doesn't do more than demonstrate the depth and range of Mr Gedda's art. A highly recommendable book.