Ileana Cotrubas (Soprano)
Born: 9th June 1939, Galați
Nationality: Romanian
Ileana Cotrubaş was born in Galati, Romania in 1939 and studied singing in Bucharest, making her operatic debut in 1964 as Yniold inPélleas et Mélisande (she would later go on to sing the female protagonist); early career roles included Gilda, Blondchen and Pamina, though by the time she made her Covent Garden debut in 1971 (as Tatyana) she was singing heavier repertoire. She was also acclaimed as Mimì (the role with which she made her Metropolitan Opera debut), Violetta, Micaela, Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier and Ilia.