Elise Elizza (Soprano) (Wien 1870 – Wien 1926)

Her real name was Elisabeth Letztergroschen. She studied singing under Adolf Limley in Vienna, whom she married  later. Her teacher in Vienna was Adolf Limley, who became her husband. She sang first in operetta, then joined the opera company at Olomouc in 1894. The following year she made her debut, as Inès in ‘’L'Africaine’’ at the Vienna Staatsoper, where she remained as a valued and versatile member of the company until 1919. In 1904 she made guest appearances at the German Theatre of Prague and in Brünn (1912). Beside her work on the stage she was a respected concert singer; in 1901 she appeared in the premiere of the ‘’Das klagende Lied’’ of Gustav Mahler.Her roles there ranged from the Queen of Night to Brünnhilde, though she was probably happiest in the lyric-coloratura repertory, such as Violetta and Marguerite de Valois in ‘’Les Huguenots’’. She later taught in Vienna, where Lotte Lehmann was among her pupils. A prolific early recording artist, she reveals on records a voice of exceptional beauty with a highly accomplished technique and a sensitive style.

Chronology of some appearances

1894-1919 Vienna Staatsoper Debut L'Africaine (Ines)

1904 Prague German Theatre

1912 Brünn Opera House

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

G&T, Wien 1903-04/06

Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Duett with Slezak 044009 37Hp

Pathé-Artistical cylinders & discs, Wien 1905-09/10

Contes d'Hoffmann (Offenbach): Puppenlied 19279

G&T, Wien 1906-06

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Vogellied 43802 4202L

G&T, Wien 1907-11/12

Norma (Bellini): Sieh', o Norma, hab' Erbarmen with Forst 2-44326 11779u