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Leyla Gencer

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Vocalist

The Resume

    (October 10, 1928-May 10, 2008)
    Born in Polonezköy, Turkey
    Born to a Turkish father and a Polish mother
    Also known as Ayşe Leyla Çeyrekgil
    Soprano opera singer
    Widely known as 'La Diva Turca' (The Turkish Diva), 'La Regina' (The Queen), or 'The last Diva of the 20th Century'
    Mainly based on La Scala in Milan, Italy
    Recorded 'La Traviata' (1956), 'Don Giovanni' (1960, 1962), 'Roberto Devereux' (1964), 'Lucrezia Borgia' (1966, 1970), 'Polish Songs', 'Macbeth' (1968), and 'La Gioconda' (1972)
    Died in Milan, Italy

Why she might be annoying:

    Her birth year was sometimes listed as 1924.
    For a short time when she was 16, she had the hots for a 34-year-old Polish architect.
    If her mother didn't enroll her to the Istanbul Conservatory, she could have ended up marrying him.
    She had an affair with American ambassador to Turkey George McGhee. (1951-1953)
    She was rumored to have the entire Turkish government wrapped around her finger, having them do her bidding as she pleased.

Why she might not be annoying:

    Her father died when she was young.
    She reintroduced many forgotten Romantic-era operas to the stage, boosting their popularity as a result.
    She toured extensively, traveling to countries like the United States, United Kingdom, France, Poland, and the Soviet Union.
    She was hailed as a role model for women in the arts back in her native Turkey, where they issued a commemorative coin with her image.
    She helped train young opera singers from 1982 up to her death.

Credit: Big Lenny


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 17 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 20 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 58 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 58 Votes: 50.0% Annoying