Frederica von Stade

Frederica von Stade (born June 1, 1945) is an American mezzo-soprano.

Frederica von Stade was born in Somerville, New Jersey. She acquired the nickname "Flicka" in her childhood. Her father, Charles S. von Stade, was a polo champion and Lieutenant in the United States Army who was killed in service in Germany during the Second World War, prior to her birth. Her grandfather, Francis Skiddy von Stade, Sr., (1884–1967), was also a polo champion.

She attended the Mannes College of Music in New York City.

She made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in 1970 and in 1971 appeared as Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro at the Santa Fe Opera. "It was two of the newcomers who left the audience dazzled: Frederica von Stade as Cherubino and Kiri Te Kanawa as the Countess. Everyone knew at once that these were brilliant finds. History has confirmed that first impression."

Cherubino remained her most celebrated signature role, which she sang at her European debut in Versailles 1973, which was the starting point of her great international career. At the inauguration of Jimmy Carter as the 39th President of the United States on January 20 1977, she performed "Take Care of This House" from the Broadway musical 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by Leonard Bernstein and Alan Jay Lerner, accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra.

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