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Kraus was born in Las Palmas, Grand Canary. He began his musical career at the age of four taking up piano lessons, singing in the school choir by age eight.
In 1956, Kraus made his professional operatic debut in Cairo as the Duke in Rigoletto, which became one of his signature roles. The following year, he sang in Alfredo at the Teatro Nacional São Carlos in Lisbon in a production of La TraviataLa Traviata is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi. Its text by Francesco Maria Piave is based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas, fils, La dame aux Camelias and it was first produced in Venice in 1853. The title means literally The Woman who Strayed or with Maria CallasThe Greek soprano Maria Callas ( December 2, 1923 September 16, 1977) was the most famous opera singer of the postwar period. Callas combined an impeccable bel canto technique with great dramatic gifts, making her the most famous singing actress of the er, a live recording of which was later released.
Kraus made his Covent GardenThe Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, London, is arguably the most significant opera house in the UK. The current edifice is the third theatre on the site. It is also home to The Royal Ballet . History In 1728, John Rich, an actor and manager, commissio debut as Edgardo in Lucia di LammermoorLucia di Lammermoor is an opera in three acts by Gaetano Donizetti. The libretto, by Kammerano, is based on Scotts novel The Bride of Lammermoor''. The opera premiered in Naples on September 26, 1835. Its "mad scene" is said to contain the highest vocal n in 1959 and his La ScalaThe Teatro alla Scala (or La Scala for short), in Milan, Italy, is one of the world's most famous opera houses. The current edifice is the second theater on the site. A fire destroyed the first, the ancient Teatro Ducale, on 25 February 1776, after a carn debut as Elvino en La SonnambulaLa Sonnambula is an opera by Vincenzo Bellini. The libretto was written by Felice Romani. It was first performed in Milan in 1831. La Sonnambula is part of the standard operatic repertoire. There are a number of recordings of it and it is regularly perfor in 1960. He made his US debut with Lyric Opera of ChicagoThe Lyric Opera of Chicago is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. It was founded in Chicago in 1954. The company's permanent home is the Civic Opera Building, a 1929 structure with an Art Deco interior. Its 3,563-seat capacity makes i 1962 and his Metropolitan OperaThe Metropolitan Opera is located at Lincoln Center in New York, New York. It was founded in April, 1880. The first Metropolitan Opera House opened on October 23, 1883, and was located between 39th and 40th Street on Broadway. The original Metropolitan Op debut in 1966 in Rigoletto.
Kraus became to be virtually synonmous with such tenor di grazia roles as Faust, Nemorino, Werther, Arturo and Don Ottavio. Thanks to his superlative technique and careful husbanding of his vocal resources, Kraus sang onstage well into his mid-60s.
Kraus was also known for his performances of lighter music, notably zarzuela.
In 1991, Kraus was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award