Maureen Forrester

Maureen Forrester (1930–2010) was a Canadian contralto celebrated in opera and concert repertoire. Born in Montreal, she became internationally known for the richness of her voice and her commanding musicianship. Forrester was especially admired for her interpretations of Gustav Mahler’s works, performing them widely and helping to popularize them with audiences. A major milestone in her career was her collaboration with conductor Bruno Walter, with whom she appeared in Mahler performances and recordings. She also sang leading roles on major stages and was a frequent soloist with orchestras. Forrester remained an influential figure in Canadian musical life.