Classical Singers

More From Classical Singers
A classical singer may be referred to any kind of a singer who is involved in the singing of traditional form or art music that has very strong roots in the old-style and historic style of music. Classical music may be inspired by ancient literature, history or even may be spiritual or religious texts in certain cases. The type of classical music is varied and differs from country to country. The nation specific types of classical music include American classical music, Indian classical music, French classical music, Iranian classical music, Ottoman classical music and many more. Classical music as a specific term did not came into existence until the 19th century. However, many of the instruments that were used in order to compose clasiio9cal music were invented before the 19th century. One of the main characteristics of classical music is its ability to produce some of the worlds finest forms of instrumental music like symphony, opera, sonata and symphonic poem among many others in this genre.in the 21st century, classical music is considered as one the many art forms that is timeless. With this collection of biographies that include trivia, interesting facts, timeline and life history, learn more about the world’s most famous classical singers.
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 1 
Luciano Pavarotti
(Italian Operatic Tenor Regarded as the 'King of the High Cs')
Luciano Pavarotti
6
Birthdate: October 12, 1935
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Modena, Italy
Died: September 6, 2007

Luciano Pavarotti was an operatic tenor who went on to become one of the most loved and acclaimed tenors of all time. Nicknamed the King of the High Cs, Pavarotti is regarded as one of the best tenors of the 20th century. Also a well-known humanitarian, Luciano Pavarotti hosted annual charity concerts to raise money for various UN causes.

 2 
Jackie Evancho
(American Classical Crossover Singer Known for Her Albums: ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘Dream with Me’)
Jackie Evancho
14
Birthdate: April 9, 2000
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Jackie Evancho is an American singer who achieved popularity at the age of ten when she finished second in the fifth season of the popular talent show, America's Got Talent. Subsequently, she became the youngest solo artist to release a platinum-certified album in the US. She is also the youngest person to give a solo concert at New York City's Lincoln Center.

 3 
Amira Willighagen
(Singer)
Amira Willighagen
5
Birthdate: March 27, 2004
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Nijmegen, Netherlands
 4 
Dimash Kudaibergen
(Singer)
Dimash Kudaibergen
6
Birthdate: May 24, 1994
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Aktobe, Kazakhstan
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 5 
Oksana Grigorieva
(Russian Singer-songwriter and Pianist)
Oksana Grigorieva
8
Birthdate: February 23, 1970
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Saransk, Russia
Russian singer and pianist Oksana Grigorieva patented a method of teaching music to children in the U.S. She is best known for her track Un día llegará. She has been in the news for her bitter break-up with former partner Mel Gibson. She has worked with the Chernobyl Children's Project.
 6 
M. S. Subbulakshmi
(Carnatic Musician)
M. S. Subbulakshmi
5
Birthdate: September 16, 1916
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Madurai
Died: December 11, 2004

M.S. Subbulakshmi was an Indian singer. Dubbed the Queen of Music, Subbulakshmi was the leading exponent of Carnatic music. In 1966, she became the first Indian to perform in UN General Assembly. In 1974, she became the first Indian musician to be awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award. In 1998, Subbulakshmi became the first musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna.

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 7 
Noor Jehan
(Singer and Actress)
Noor Jehan
5
Birthdate: September 21, 1926
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kasur
Died: December 23, 2000

Noor Jehan was a Pakistani actress and playback singer. In a career spanning over 60 years, she is estimated to have sung around 20,000 songs. One of the most important Pakistani singers of all time, Noor Jehan is also widely regarded as one of the most influential and greatest South Asian singers of all time.

 8 
Adnan Sami
(First Musician to Have Played the Santoor and Indian Classical Music on the Piano)
Adnan Sami
9
Birthdate: August 15, 1971
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: London, England

Adnan Sami is an Indian musician, singer, pianist, and music composer. Best known for his skills as a piano player, Sami was named the world's fastest keyboard player by Keyboard magazine. He is also widely regarded as the first person to have played Indian classical music on the piano. In 2020, he was awarded India's fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri. 

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 9 
Monali Thakur
(Indian Playback Singer)
Monali Thakur
9
Birthdate: November 3, 1985
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Calcutta, West Bengal, India

National Award- and Filmfare-winning singer Monali Thakur is best known for her hit tracks such as Moh Moh Ke Dhaage and Sawaar Loon. She first gained fame with Indian Idol 2 and later also acted in movies such as Lakshmi. She later secretly married a Swiss restaurateur she met on a trip.

 10 
Bhimsen Joshi
(One of the Greatest Indian Vocalists in the Hindustani Classical Tradition)
Bhimsen Joshi
3
Birthdate: February 4, 1922
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Gadag, Karnataka, India
Died: February 24, 2011

Bhimsen Joshi was an Indian vocalist best known for recording devotional songs. Widely regarded as one of the greatest vocalists of all time, Bhimsen Joshi was the first Indian musician whose concerts were promoted through posters in New York City, New York. Over the course of his career, Joshi received prestigious honors, such as the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.

 11 
Tamino
(Singer-songwriter)
Tamino
0
Birthdate: October 24, 1996
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Mortsel, Antwerp, Belgium
 12 
Kathleen Ferrier
(Singer)
Kathleen Ferrier
3
Birthdate: April 22, 1912
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Higher Walton, United Kingdom
Died: October 8, 1953
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 13 
Sadhana Sargam
(Playback singer who got immense popularity after her song 'Saat Samundar Paar' in the film Vishwatma)
Sadhana Sargam
5
Birthdate: March 7, 1969
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Dabhol, Maharashtra, India

Sadhana Sargam is an Indian playback singer best known for recording nearly 15,000 songs in 34 Indian languages. In 2002, Sadhana Sargam became the first non-South Indian singer to receive the National Award for a song composed by a South Indian. She has also won other prestigious awards like Maharashtra State Film Awards, Lata Mangeshkar Award, and Gujarath State Film Award.

 14 
Dolores Gray
(Actress)
Dolores Gray
3
Birthdate: June 7, 1924
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: June 26, 2002
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 15 
Sibel Can
(Singer)
Sibel Can
3
Birthdate: August 1, 1970
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Istanbul, Turkey
 16 
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
(Singer)
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
3
Birthdate: March 13, 1902
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Cairo, Egypt
Died: May 4, 1991
 17 
Zeki Müren
(Legendary Turkish Singer, Songwriter, Composer, and Actor)
Zeki Müren
3
Birthdate: December 6, 1931
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bursa, Turkey
Died: September 24, 1996

Known to fans as the Pasha of Music, Turkish singer, songwriter, and composer Zeki Müren was a legendary figure of Turkish classical music. He also acted in several films, such as the blockbuster Beklenen Şarkı. His track Manolyam was the first song to win Turkey’s prestigious Golden Record Award.

 18 
Kumar Gandharva
(Hindustani classical singer)
Kumar Gandharva
3
Birthdate: April 8, 1924
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Sulebhavi, Belgaum District, Karnataka, India
Died: January 12, 1992

Kumar Gandharva was an Indian singer best remembered for his unique vocal style. In spite of fighting a personal battle in the late 40s, Gandharva went on to become one of the finest classical singers of his generation. In 1990, Kumar Gandharva was honored with India's second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan.

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 19 
Nexhmije Pagarusha
(Vocalist)
Nexhmije Pagarusha
5
Birthdate: May 7, 1933
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Pagarushë, Kosovo
Died: February 7, 2020
 20 
Ahlam
(Singer)
Ahlam
5
Birthdate: February 23, 1968
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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 21 
Sílvia Pérez Cruz
(Singer)
Sílvia Pérez Cruz
2
Birthdate: February 15, 1983
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Palafrugell, Catalonia, Spain
 22 
Dorival Caymmi
(Brazilian Singer and Songwriter)
Dorival Caymmi
2
Birthdate: April 30, 1914
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Died: August 16, 2008

Dorival Caymmi was a Brazilian singer-songwriter. He played a major role in the birth of Brazil's bossa nova movement. He gained much fame for his ballads celebrating the fishermen and women of Bahia. In an extensive career spanning more than 70 years, he composed around 100 songs and influenced Brazil's image in the eyes of both Brazilians and foreigners. 

 23 
Victor Rathnayake
(Singer)
Victor Rathnayake
2
Birthdate: February 18, 1942
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kadugannawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka
 24 
Marzieh
(Singer)
Marzieh
2
Birthdate: March 22, 1924
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Tehran, Iran
Died: October 13, 2010
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 25 
Georg Ots
(Singer)
Georg Ots
2
Birthdate: March 21, 1920
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: September 5, 1975
 26 
Gangubai Hangal
(Indian Classical Singer)
Gangubai Hangal
2
Birthdate: March 5, 1913
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Hangal, Karnataka, India
Died: July 21, 2009

Gangubai Hangal was an Indian singer best remembered for her powerful and deep voice. Since Hangal's mother's family was regarded as people belonging to low social status, Gangubai Hangal had to fight against this prejudice to become one of the most revered female Hindustani classical singers of her generation. In 1996, she was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship.

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 27 
Abdul Rahim Sarban
(Singer)
Abdul Rahim Sarban
2
Birthdate: 1930 AD
Birthplace: Kabul, Afghanistan
Died: April 2, 1993
 28 
Nawal El Kuwaitia
(Singer)
Nawal El Kuwaitia
2
Birthdate: November 18, 1966
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kuwait City, Kuwait
 29 
Muazzez Ersoy
(Singer)
Muazzez Ersoy
2
Birthdate: August 9, 1958
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Uzunköprü, Edirne, Turkey
 30 
Âşık Veysel
(Turkish Folk Singer and Bard)
Âşık Veysel
2
Birthdate: October 25, 1894
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Şarkışla, Turkey
Died: March 21, 1973

Turkish Alevi ashik, or bard, Âşık Veysel is one of the greatest figures of Turkish folk literature. Blinded as a child because of smallpox, he learned music by playing a saz his father gave him. He later traveled on foot and taught music in various villages.

 31 
Gulden Karabocek
(Musician)
Gulden Karabocek
3
Birthdate: November 4, 1953
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Ankara, Turkey
 32 
Mohammad Hussain Sarahang
(Singer)
Mohammad Hussain Sarahang
2
Birthdate: 1924 AD
Birthplace: Kharabat, Kabul, Afghanistan
Died: 1983 AD
 33 
Hakan Altun
(Singer)
Hakan Altun
1
Birthdate: August 13, 1972
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Istanbul, Turkey
 34 
Mitali Mukherjee
(Indian-Bangladeshi Classical and Playback Singer)
Mitali Mukherjee
2
Birthplace: Mymensingh, Bangladesh
 35 
Ruth Fernández
(Contralto)
Ruth Fernández
1
Birthdate: May 23, 1919
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Ponce, Puerto Rico
Died: January 9, 2012
 36 
Olavi Virta
(Singer)
Olavi Virta
4
Birthdate: February 27, 1915
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sysmä, Finland
Died: July 14, 1972
 37 
Anne Queffélec
(French classical pianist)
Anne Queffélec
2
Birthdate: January 17, 1948
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Paris, France
 38 
Hamlet Gonashvili
(Singer)
Hamlet Gonashvili
1
Birthdate: June 20, 1928
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Anaga, Kakheti, Georgia
Died: July 25, 1985
 39 
Siobhan Owen
(Soprano)
Siobhan Owen
3
Birthdate: October 4, 1993
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Wales
 40 
Terpander
(Poet)
Terpander
1
Birthdate: 0712 AD
Birthplace: Antissa, Greece
Died: 0645 AD

Greek poet and musician from Lesbos, Terpander was best known for his songs accompanied by his music on the kithara, or cithara, a forerunner of the modern guitar. He also won a music competition at the Sparta Olympiad. He is also regarded as the pioneer of Greek classical music and lyric poetry.

 41 
Shobha Gurtu
(Indian Classical Singer)
Shobha Gurtu
2
Birthdate: February 8, 1925
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Belgaum, Karnataka, India
Died: September 27, 2004

Shobha Gurtu was an Indian singer best known for her fame achieved by sticking to light Hindustani classical style, although she had indistinguishable control over pure classical style. Dubbed the Thumri Queen, Shobha Gurtu went on to win prestigious awards like Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Padma Bhushan, and Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar.

 42 
Zeynab Khanlarova
(Singer)
Zeynab Khanlarova
3
Birthdate: December 28, 1936
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Baku, Azerbaijan
 43 
Tanja Carovska
(Singer)
Tanja Carovska
3
Birthdate: March 19, 1980
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Resen, North Macedonia
 44 
Ross Barbour
(Singer)
Ross Barbour
3
Birthdate: December 31, 1928
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Columbus, Indiana, United States
Died: August 20, 2011
 45 
Farid Zoland
(Songwriter, Composer)
Farid Zoland
3
Birthdate: September 1, 1951
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kabul , Afghanistan
 46 
Khaled El Sheikh
(Singer)
Khaled El Sheikh
3
Birthdate: September 23, 1958
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bahrain
 47 
Ramón Vinay
(Operatic Tenor)
Ramón Vinay
3
Birthdate: August 31, 1911
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Chillán, Chile
Died: January 4, 1996
 48 
Awalmir
(Afghan Singer and Composer)
Awalmir
3
Birthdate: May 8, 1931
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Peshawar
Died: April 24, 1982

Afghan Pashtun musician, singer, and composer Awalmir specialized in ghazals and performed for the first time at age 18. He later sang on Afghan radio and was also bestowed with the honorific title of Ustad. His best-known songs include Da Zamong Zeba Watan, or Our Beautiful Homeland.

 49 
Miriam Gauci
(Singer)
Miriam Gauci
0
Birthdate: April 3, 1957
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Malta
 50 
Anna Renzi
(Italian Opera Singer Who Was the First Star in the History of Opera)
Anna Renzi
2
Birthdate: 1620 AD
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
Died: 1660 AD

The first star in the history of opera, Italian singer and actor Anna Renzi soared to fame in the 17th century. After gaining attention with her Venetian debut as Deidamia in Sacrati’s La finta pazza, she also featured in poet and intellectual Giulio Strozzi’s writings. She was the highest-paid singer of her time.