In 1956, Kertész-Gabry launched a successful operatic career when she won the prestigious Deutsches Schumann-Komitee Prize.[3] Shortly thereafter, she received an appointment to the Bremen Opera from where she moved on to Cologne in 1960. On 15 February 1965 she distinguished herself as a dramatic coloratura soprano in the lead role of Marie in the premiere of Bernd Alois Zimmermann's opera, Die Soldaten. In 1963, WDR (Westdeutscher Rundfunk) first broadcast scenes from Die Soldaten, but not the full opera. Zimmermann had only completed revisions to the score one year later. Today, Zimmermann's four-act opera, commissioned by the Cologne Opera, is considered one of the most important and influential operas written in Germany since the second world war."[4] In 1974, Kertész-Gabry performed this role once again in Zimmermann's shortened concertante version of his opera, Vokalsinfonie.
Since 1971, in addition to performing regularly with the Cologne Opera, Kertész-Gabry taught at the Folkwang-Musikschule. Before 1977 she received a teaching appointment at the Cologne University of Music. In 1988, she performed one of her last notable performances at the Schwetzingen Festival. There she sang the role of Berta in Rossini'sThe Barber of Seville, which also featured Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo soprano) as Rosina, David Kuebler (tenor) as Count Almaviva, and Gino Quilico (baritone) as Figaro. In a review of the recording, Kertész-Gabry's performance proved of special note: "her intonation and characterisation is superb, and in the ensembles, she completely swamps young Miss Bartoli . . ."[5]
Death
After a prolonged illness, Kertész-Gabry died in Cologne on February 10, 2012. Kertész-Gabry had three children (Gabor, Peter, and Katharine) with her husband, the conductor István Kertész. She is survived by one child, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.[6]
^Synofzik, Thomas (2003). Rheinische Sängerinnen des 20. Jahrhunderts, Issue 164, Part 1, p. 92. Merseburger. ISBN3875373030
^Ewen, David (1978). Musicians since nineteen hundred: performers in concert and opera, p. 387. HW Wilson Company. ISBN0824205650
^Deutsches Schumann-Komitee (Herausgeber) (1956). Deutsches Schumann-Fest Zwickau 22.-29. Juli 1956; Deutsches Schumann-Fest Zwickau 22.-29. Juli 1956 komplettes Programm mit Bildern, Musiker, bisherige Schumann-Fest, Geleitwort von Hermann Abendroth, viele Informationen zu diesem Ereignis. Berlin, GDR: Tribüne-Werk IV.