Sándor Kónya

Hungarian Operatic Tenor

Sándor Kónya was a Hungarian tenor, renowned for his performances in operatic roles throughout the mid-20th century. Born on September 23, 1923, in Sarkad, Hungary, he began his musical career after World War II and quickly gained recognition for his powerful voice and emotive performances. Kónya was particularly celebrated for his interpretations of roles in the operas of Richard Wagner and Giacomo Puccini. He became a leading tenor at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City during the 1960s and performed on various international stages, including those in Bayreuth, Vienna, and London. His repertoire extended beyond Wagner and Puccini to include roles in operas by Verdi and other composers. Kónya's recording career included participation in complete opera recordings as well as recitals of arias, contributing to his reputation as one of the prominent tenors of his time. He passed away on May 20, 2002.