Czech mezzosopranist Soňa Červená has passed away at the age of 97. Born in 1925, Červená began her career in the interwar avant-garde Prague Free Theatre period, performing alongside Jiří Voskovec and Jan Werich. She went on to work at the National Theatre in Prague during the 1950s, before emigrating to Berlin in 1958.
Červená worked as a performer at the Berlin State Opera and the opera house in Frankfurt until the 1990s, and also performed regularly in the United States. She received the prestigious Thalia Award in 2004 and performed at the National Theatre in Prague as late as 2010.
Červená’s family was persecuted by both the Nazis and the Communists, yet she persevered and achieved great success in her career. She will be remembered as a great artist and a symbol of resilience.