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Laszlo Polgar Obituary
Polgar died in Zurich, Hungarian State Opera spokeswoman Judit Varkonyi said. The cause of death was not disclosed by the family.
Polgar had participated in the Budapest opera's season-ending gala concert in June and his death was unexpected, Varkonyi said.
Polgar's most famous role was probably that of Bluebeard in Bela Bartok's "Bluebeard's Castle," for which Polgar won the Grammy Award for best opera recording in 1999 along with soprano Jessye Norman, conductor Pierre Boulez and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Polgar's versatility and deeply resonant voice allowed him to play many other major roles, including Rocco in Beethoven's "Fidelio," Sarastro in Mozart's "The Magic Flute," Basilio in Rossini's "The Barber of Seville," Philip II in Verdi's "Don Carlos" and Gurnemanz in Wagner's "Parsifal."
Polgar was born Jan. 1, 1947 in Somogyszentpal, southwest Hungary, and studied at the Hungarian Music Academy between 1967 and 1972.
He won several singing competitions, like the Dvorak in 1971, the Schumann in 1974, the Erkel in 1975, the Wolf in 1980, and the Pavarotti in Philadelphia in 1981. He became a member of the Hungarian State Opera in 1973.
Polgar received Hungary's most prestigious cultural award, the Kossuth Prize, in 1990.
"I wanted to become an artist. I was always attracted by the stage," he said in a 1997 interview.
He moved to Zurich in 1991, where he initially earned 20 times his Hungarian income.
"I do not expect the Hungarian Opera to compete with it," Polgar told Hungarian newspaper Magyar Hirlap in 1994. "What I expect is respect and affection. If I get these two, I happily go home and sing there."
During his career, Polgar performed on some of the world's most prestigious stages, including Milan's La Scala, the Vienna State Opera and the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires.
"The most important things for me in life are love and affection," Polgar said. "I try to fight against it, but without much avail. Without love and affection this profession is impossible for me."
Polgar is survived by his wife, Agnes, and three daughters: Katalin, Judit, and Eva.
Funeral details were not immediately announced.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
Memories and Condolences
for Laszlo Polgar
14 Entries
Christopher Waddell
May 15, 2021
He has the most noble, beautiful voice I've ever heard.
Helen-Ilona Deak
September 26, 2010
R.I.P. "LACI"
I will never forget You.
We were born and grow up in the same apartment building in Budapest, districk VII. Marek Jozsef u. 16. You lived on the 3'rd floor, I am on the 2'nd. My name was then Toth Ili.
You where so talented in everyting, You even painted and drawed a pictures. Ones, I was "modeling" for You on the open stairways, as a little girl, as I was playing with the other children.
My cousin, Ernie Aranyi, who lives in the US. was Your classmate in the boy's elementary scool of Hernad utca.
When I heard the sad news, tears rolled down my face, still dos.
I ewen remember Your grandmother, Kantor neni, and Your mother, Polgar neni, aka: Nusi neni.
My condolences to Your Family and friends.
The Country of Hungary and the whole World lost a great person.
Mrs. Helen Deak, alias
Toth Ili
Dominique Hall
September 23, 2010
My thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. May the God of all comfort bring peace until he destroys this enemy, death, once and for all time. The dead will have the prospect of remaining on earth forever under peaceful, paradisaic conditions.
September 23, 2010
Your husband/father said a beautiful thing, "The most important things for me in life are love and affection," how wonderful life would be if everyone thought this way. The God of love promised something beautiful, seeing our loved ons again. (Acts 24:15)
Shirley
September 21, 2010
To the family of Laszlo Polgar I am sorry for your loss, may the God of all comfort and tender mercies be with you in your time of grief I am sure he will be missed by many.
Victoria~
September 20, 2010
rest in peace
'Laszlo Polgar'
condolences to
Mr Laszlo family
and many friends
His Country lost
a great man with
songs rip peace`
R Golay
September 20, 2010
To the the family of Laszlo Polgar - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Laszlo will be missed by many.
Tom Smith
September 20, 2010
May the God of all comfort, bring comfort to the family and friends of Laszlo Polgar. We can all look forward to hearing his beautiful voice during the resurrection as he sings praise about God and not men.
shirley g
September 20, 2010
My deepest condolence to the family and friends of Mr.Laszlo Polgar
JA
September 20, 2010
So sad. Another beautiful voice silenced. May God comfort the family and friends of Laszlo Polgar.
Sue
September 20, 2010
His VOICE is the "Singing of the Angels" and GOD has put him in the "Heavenly Choir" and he will continue to sing. Death is merely a stepping stone to another life of Freedom and no more hurt. He is still with his family. You will still here his singing. He voice will not be quieted by death.
Dolon Peete
September 20, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
September 20, 2010
My deepest condolences. May God comfort the family and friends of Laszlo Polgar. We can all look forward to the time when death will be no more and instead of tears of sorrow there will be tears of happiness. May your memories bring you a measure of comfort at this time of great sorrow.
CG, New Jersey
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
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