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Ruth Welting
A Look at a Rare and Amazing Artist, Reaching the Pinnacles of Success in the World of International Opera
Ruth Lynn Welting (1948–1999) was born in Memphis, Tenn., and went on to dazzle audiences as one of the top coloratura sopranos of her time. Known for her stunning vocal range, incredible technical skill, and captivating stage presence, she performed to high acclaim many difficult coloratura roles in some of the most prestigious opera houses around the world.
I first met "Ruthie" in 1966 when we were both students singing in operas and choral groups at the University of Memphis. She was attending UofM on a full scholarship to study piano. We also sang in the choir and studied voice at The Second Presbyterian Church Music Department. I remember Ruth as very happy, musically talented, and warm with an incredible laugh and extremely high intellect. In addition to her singing, Ruth had high proficiency with a number of musical instruments including piano, flute, and guitar. In 1999, I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing at the early age of 51. Those who had the privilege of knowing Ruth during her formative years in Memphis and later during her illustrious career, all know what a very special and unique human being she was.
I created this web page in order to continue her memory and expose her accomplishments to more of those who knew and loved her.
If you have memories, comments, or images of Ruth you would like to add to this gallery,
please email me.
RE (Bob) Casper, Vero Beach, Florida
Read - Ruth Welting: A Life in Opera
Read the 2025 article published in the University of Memphis Magazine or download the PDF.
Read - Ask Vance: Opera Star Ruth Welting
Read the Jan. 26, 2026 article in Memphis Magazine by Vance Lauderdale.
Listen - Rare Early Recordings of Ruth
These two recordings of Ruth were made while she was a student at the University of Memphis in the late 1960's. Both were recorded at The Second Presbyterian Church Music Department.
This is the recording I made of Ruth singing three arias for her Met "audition tape" in 1969. At only 21 years of age she was showing her voice's immense range, fluidity and color that would later place her in great demand to sing coloratura opera roles at the Met, New York City Opera, and many other venues in Europe and throughout North America. The piano accompaniment is by her vocal instructor, Jane Robertson.
This the first time I ever heard Ruth sing during a performance of Handel's Messiah when we were both singing in the choir at The Second Presbyterian Church, Memphis, Tennessee in 1966. The organ accompaniment is by her vocal instructor, Jane Robertson.
More Listening - Ruth's Discography
Ruth Welting left an extensive collection of recordings made with internationally renowned artists, symphonies, and conductors including one of Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier, featuring a star-powered cast that included, in addition to Ruth, Jose Carreras, Evelyn Lear and Frederica von Stade.
Watch & Listen - Performance Recordings of Ruth on YouTube
Photos of Ruth Performing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City (Met Archives)
Left to Right:
1 & 2; As Zerbinetta in Strauss’ Adriadne auf Naxos
3 & 4; Sophie in a 1977 performance of Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier
5; As Queen of the Night in a production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte
6 & 7; As Olympia in a 1989 performance of Offenbach’s Les Contes d'Hoffmann
Photos of Ruth Performing at Other Prestigious Opera Houses
1, 2, & 3; With the San Francisco Opera Company as Norina in Donizetti's Don Pasquale
4: As Lucia and Richard Leech in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, Canadian Opera Company
5: In a dress rehearsal as Zerlina in Mozart's Don Giovanni, at the San Francisco Opera with. Also, on the far left is David Rendall as Masetto and kneeling is Walter Berry as Leporello. The singer on the far right is unknown
6: In a 1984 production of Offenbach'sThe Tales of Hoffman, with the Opera Company of Boston.
