List RulesVote up the best female opera singer
While opera isn't the most popular for of modern entertainment, it is still a significant cultural staple in many countries, and can be an incredibly moving experience. An opera singer is skilled in the art of singing, acting, and most importantly, projecting their voice in a powerful way to a live audience, filling the entire theatre with music. Female opera singers can hit the high notes with ease.
Who are the best female opera singers of all time? The talented women featured on this list have made a significant impact in the world of opera, and are incredibly talented. Female opera singers are usually sopranos or altos. If you’re interested in opera and want to see these female singers in action, but can't afford to attend, there are many operas available on DVD as well.
The greatest female opera singers on this list include Maria Callas, Renee Fleming, and Anna Gottlieb. Vote up the best of the best below or add the top female opera singers you think are the best if they aren't already on the list.1
4,4801,2642
1,8341,064Leontyne Price
Laurel, Mississippi3
3,2872,064Joan Sutherland
Sydney, Australia4
1,6241,061Maria Callas
Manhattan, New York City5
1,5211,123Montserrat Caballe
Spain, Barcelona6
1,027651Renata Tebaldi
Pesaro, Italy7
1,2761,032Marilyn Horne
Bradford, Pennsylvania8
272171Shirley Verrett
New Orleans, Louisiana9
284178Mirella Freni
Modena, Italy10
913533Anna Moffo
Wayne, Pennsylvania11
317261Grace Bumbry
St. Louis, Missouri12
251177Rosa Ponselle
Meriden, Connecticut13
908800Kiri Te Kanawa
Gisborne, New Zealand14
197157Aprile Millo
New York City, New York15
240195Renata Scotto
Savona, Italy16
355309Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Jarocin, Poland17
935917Beverly Sills
New York City, New York18
230168Lucia Popp
Záhorská Ves, Austria19
387181Éva Marton
Budapest, Hungary20
354317Kirsten Flagstad
Hamar, Norway21
472461Birgit Nilsson
Västra Karup, Sweden22
335306Elina Garanca
Riga, Latvia23
625647Jessye Norman
Augusta, Georgia24
187160Frederica von Stade
Somerville, New Jersey25
263247Diana Damrau
Günzburg, Germany