Ellen Winther Lembourn (née Sørensen; 11 August 1933, Århus – 13 August 2011) was a Danish opera singer, best known internationally for her participation in the 1962 Eurovision Song Contest.
Ellen Winther | |
|---|---|
 Ellen Winther at the Eurovision Song Contest 1962 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ellen Sørensen |
| Born | 11 August 1933 Århus, Denmark |
| Died | 13 August 2011 (aged 78) |
| Genres | Opera, Musical theatre |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
Winther trained as an opera singer and made her professional debut in 1957 at the Royal Danish Theatre, where she would be employed for 30 years both as a singer and a dramatic actress. In the 1959 Disney animated classic Sleeping Beauty she voiced the Danish version of Aurora. In 1962, Winther won the Danish Eurovision Song Contest selection with the song "Vuggevise" ("Lullaby"), and went forward to the seventh Eurovision Song Contest, held in Luxembourg City on 18 March.[1] "Vuggevise" finished in joint 10th place out of 16 entries.[2][3]
Besides her succes in operas, stage musicals and revues, Winther also became well known to Danish audiences by many appearances in film and television. This included her portrayal of Minna Varnæs in Matador in 1978.[4] In 1983, she was awarded the Order of the Dannebrog for her contribution to the arts in Denmark.[citation needed].
Marriages edit
Winther was married to pianist John Winther from 1960 to 1966, with two children from this marriage, and to writer and politician Hans Jørgen Lembourn from 1973 until his death in 1997.[citation needed]
Death edit
Ellen Winther Lembourn died on 13 August 2011, two days after her 78th birthday.[5]
References edit
- ^ ESC National Finals 1962, natfinals.50webs.com; accessed 16 January 2018.
- ^ ESC History, esc-history.com; accessed 16 January 2018.
- ^ "Vuggevise", diggiloo.net; accessed 16 January 2018.
- ^ Filmography, imdb.com; accessed 16 January 2018.
- ^ "News - Denmark: Ellen Winther dies at the age of 78". Eurovision Song Contest. Archived from the original on 18 November 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
