Beate Ritter, a celebrated Austrian coloratura soprano, passed away at the age of 41 following a brief but serious illness.

The Volksoper expressed profound sadness over her passing, emphasizing her acclaim and popularity among audiences.

Viktor Schoner, the Artistic Director of Staatsoper Stuttgart, praised her performances as technically flawless and emotionally resonant.

Ritter was particularly renowned for her portrayal of the Queen of the Night in Mozart's 'The Magic Flute,' performing the role over 150 times worldwide.

Her last performance as the Queen of the Night took place on April 18, 2025, where she received a standing ovation despite suffering from stomach pain.

In tribute to her contributions, the Staatsoper Stuttgart will dedicate a performance of 'Rigoletto' on July 21 to her memory.

Born in 1983 in Grieskirchen, Austria, she studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna and made her operatic debut in 2009.

Ritter joined the Vienna Volksoper in 2010, where she performed in 295 productions until 2018, before becoming a member of the Stuttgart State Opera.

Throughout her career, she showcased her talent on prestigious stages across various international locations, including Florence, Tel Aviv, and China.

In January 2025, she participated in the first production at Theater an der Wien since its reopening, performing as Donna Irene.

Ritter was scheduled to return to the Volksoper in fall 2025 to reprise her role as the Queen of the Night in a new production of 'The Magic Flute.'

Early in her career, she expressed a desire to explore roles beyond the Queen of the Night, successfully taking on significant characters such as Gilda in 'Rigoletto' and Musetta in 'La Bohème.'