Elizabeth (Elly) Rab Explained

Elizabeth Rab (3 September 1930 – 7 June 2016), also known as Rab Elly, was a Hungarian-born Australian internationally acclaimed opera soprano and music teacher (singing and piano). She was a member of the Hungarian State Opera (Budapest) from 1948 to 1960 and during that time, she held the number two position as Opera Soprano.

Early life

Elizabeth Rab was born in Budapest, Hungary on 3 September 1930.^[1]

Singing career in Hungary

During the 1950s, Elly Rab was a professional opera singer in Hungary.^[2] In November 1961, as the soprano of the Hungarian Opera House, she joined the Hungarian Gypsy Orchestra on their international tour, which undertook an Australian tour starting in Melbourne.^[3]

Singing career in Australia

By 1962 Rab relocated to Australia, where she performed and eventually became a music teacher.^[2] The Hungarian University Students Dancing Group performed in October 1972 at the Black Swan Bazaar with Rab providing operatic singing.^[4] In 1985 she established an academy in Sydney where she taught singing.^[5]

Death

Rab died in Sydney on 7 June 2016, at the age of 85.^[1]

Notes and References

1. Web site: VALE Elizabeth (Elly) Rab . Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney on Facebook . 30 December 2023 . 15 June 2016.
2. Web site: Collapse of communism a boon for opera fans . Baillie . Rebecca . . 15 May 2003 . 14 July 2016 .
3. Web site: Hungarian Gypsy Orchestra Visits Australia . British Pathé . 13 November 1961 . 14 July 2016 .
4. News: Black Swan Bazaar geopend door Philips directeur . Dutch Australian Weekly . 22 . Dutch . 2 . New South Wales, Australia . 13 October 1972 . 14 July 2016 . 2 . .
5. Web site: Elizabeth Rab – Music Teacher . Music Teachers' Association of New South Wales . 14 July 2016 .