Oct 10, 2026

MAFALDA SALVATINI GRAMMOPHON AND ODEON RECORDINGS 2 CDR

 



MAFALDA SALVATINI (BAIAE, ITALY 17 OCTOBER 1886 – LUGANO, SWITZERLAND 13 JUNE 1971)


 




Her father was an officer in the Neapolitan army, and she was orphaned when she was only four years old. She studied singing under Jean de Reszke and Pauline Viardot-Garcia in Paris. In 1908, during a guest performance at the Berlin Court Opera, she caused a sensation as Aida. From 1911 to 1914, she was a member of this opera house. In 1912, she performed at the Hofoper in Munich, and in 1913 at the Grand Opéra in Paris, where she portrayed Valentine in Les Huguenots by G. Meyerbeer. During the 1914-1923 seasons, she was engaged by the German Opera House in Berlin-Charlottenburg. Although she appeared again at the State Opera (formerly Hofoper) in Berlin during the 1924-1926 seasons, she returned to the German Opera House in 1926, where she continued her career until 1932. In 1926, she created the title role in G. Puccini’s Turandot for Berlin, achieving one of her greatest successes. In 1927, she was a guest at the Dresden State Opera, and in 1922 and 1928 at the Vienna State Opera. She also performed at the Riga Opera House in 1928. She made guest appearances in Holland and Belgium but never in her native Italy. In the early 1930s, she married the Lithuanian Ambassador in Germany. After her retirement, she lived in the Swiss canton of Ticino.



TRACKLIST




Ernani (Verdi) Schon später Abend (It) O-8610 xxB7155 Odeon, Berlin 1926-02-23 (ac)

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Un po’ di vero (w. Jadlowker) 054484 1398s Grammophon, Berlin 1919 1920

Tosca (Puccini) Mit deinen Augen (w. Talén) 80652 xxB7400 Odeon, Berlin 1925-12-11

Verratene Liebe (Cornelius) (w. Hofmann) O-8723, xxB7852 Odeon, Berlin 1927-11-19

Africaine (Meyerbeer) In meinem Schloß, pt 1 O-8597 xxB7428 Odeon, Berlin 1926-02-23 (ac)

Africaine (Meyerbeer) In meinem Schloß, pt 2 O-8597 xxB7429 Odeon, Berlin 1926-02-23 (ac)

Aida (Verdi) Ciel! Mio padre! (w. Amato) Homokord M51539 2-8494

Aida (Verdi) Pur ti riveggo (w. Jadlowker) 054483 1249m Grammophon, Berlin 1919

Aida (Verdi) Su, dunque! (w. Amato) Homokord M51540 2-8494

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Ach, mit der Gattin nächtlich zu schwärmen (w. Salvatini, Helgers & Zador) Gramophone 65642 (B25013)

Cäcilie (Strauss) Odeon O-4114b Be8947

Carmen (Bizet) Draußen am Wall O-8712 xxB7624 Odeon, Berlin 1927-04-01

Carmen (Bizet) Ja, die Liebe 80797 xxB7157 Odeon, Berlin 1925-04-08

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Tu qui, Santuzza (w. Jadlowker) 054486, 1397s Grammophon, Berlin 1919 1920

Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach) Barcarole (w. Hofmann) O-8723 xxB7851 Odeon, Berlin 1927-11-19


Fedora (Giordano) Gott, der gerecht ist O-4109a Be8911 Odeon

Fedora (Giordano) Welch ein Duft O-4109b Be8912 Odeon

Juive (Halévy) Er kommt zurück O-8712 xxB7667 Odeon, Berlin 1927-04-01

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Die prunkende Schleife (w. Talén) 80653 xxB7401 Odeon, Berlin 1925-12-11

Mignon (Thomas) Kennst du das Land O-8610 xxB7430 Odeon, Berlin 1926-02-23 (ac)

Morgen (Strauss) O-4114a Be8948 Odeon

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Warum denn hielt’st du mich sehnend umfangen (w. Schlusnus) 044329 1417s Grammophon, Berlin 1919/1920

Rusalka (Dvořák) Du lieber Mond, so silberhell 80746 xxB7102 Odeon, Berlin 1924-12-11

Tosca (Puccini) Qual occhio al mondo (w. Jadlowker) 054485, 1399s Grammophon, Berlin 1919 1920

Tosca (Puccini) Vissi d’arte 80796 xxB7156 Odeon, Berlin 1925-04-08

Trovatore (Verdi) Wilde Eifersucht im Herzen (w. Salvatini & Hutt) 65642 (B25012) Grammophon, Berlin

Turandot (Puccini) Die ersten Tränen O-8706 xxB7626 Odeon, Berlin 1927-04-01

Turandot (Puccini) In diesem Schlosse O-8706 xxB7625 Odeon, Berlin 1927-04-01

Verratene Liebe (Cornelius) (w. Hofmann) O-8723, xxB7852 Odeon, Berlin 1927-11-19

Saffo (Pacini) L’ama ognor qualio 80747xxB7103 Odeon, Berlin 1925-04-08


MAFALDA SALVATINI GRAMMOPHON AND ODEON RECORDINGS 2 CDR

ITALIAN MEZZO-SOPRANO ARMIDA PARSI-PETTINELLA (1868-1949) CDR

 


ARMIDA PARSI-PETTINELLA (GALLESE, NEAR ROME, 30 AUGUST, 1868 – MILAN, 9 JANUARY, 1949)

 


 


She made her debut in 1893 and enjoyed a successful career at the major Italian opera houses. She frequently performed at La Scala, where in 1895 she appeared as Anna Bolena in Henri VIII by C. Saint-Saëns. The following year, she returned to La Scala, this time as Dalila in Samson et Dalila by the same composer. She also performed as Dalila in 1902 at the Teatro Verdi in Pisa. The singer, who was married to the conductor Pettinella, made guest appearances in London, Paris, Madrid, and Buenos Aires. In 1896, she made a guest appearance at the Academy of Music in New York, where she sang the role of Madelon in the American première of Andrea Chénier by U. Giordano. Further guest appearances included Monte Carlo as Eboli in G. Verdi’s Don Carlo (1906) and at the Teatro Reale in Madrid in Amleto by A. Thomas (1908). She spent her later years at the Casa di Riposo Giuseppe Verdi in Milan.


Chronology of some appearances


1884 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Trovatore (Azucena)

1891 Piacenza  Teatro Municipale Cavalleria rusticana (Lola)

1891 Roma  Teatro Quirino Favorita (Leonora)

1892 Ravenna  Teatro Mariani Favorita (Leonora)

1892 Ravenna  Teatro Mariani Linda di Chamonix (Pierotto)

1892 Roma  Teatro Valle Favorita (Leonora)

1892 Roma  Teatro Quirino Norma (Adalgisa)

1893 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Trovatore (Azucena)

1895 Brescia  Teatro Grande Guglielmo Ratcliff (Margherita)

1896 Cento   Teatro Sociale Gioconda (Laura)

1896 Milano  Teatro alla Scala Guglielmo Ratcliff (Margherita)

1898 Lisbona  Teatro San Carlos Lohengrin (Ortruda)

1898  Lisbona  Teatro San Carlos Trovatore (Azucena)

1898 Lisbona  Teatro San Carlos Ugonotti (Urbano)

1900 Lisbona  Teatro San Carlos Favorita (Leonora)

1900 Barcellona  Teatro Liceo Favorita (Leonora)

1900 Lisbona  Teatro San Carlos Lohengrin (Ortruda)

1901 Trieste  Politeama Rossetti Favorita (Leonora)

1901 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Lohengrin (Ortruda)

1902 Pisa  Teatro Verdi Carmen (Carmen)

1902 Ferrara  Teatro Comunale Gioconda (Laura)

1902 Madrid  Teatro Reale Lohengrin (Ortruda)

1902 Madrid  Teatro Reale Trovatore (Azucena)

1903 Milano  Teatro La Scala Ballo in maschera (Ulrica)

1903 Madrid  Teatro Reale Trovatore (Azucena)

1904 Buenos Ayres  Teatro dell’Opera Adriana Lecoouvreur (Principessa)

1904 Buenos Ayres  Teatro dell’Opera Lohengrin (Ortruda)

1904 Buenos Ayres  Opera Linda di Chamonix (Pierotto)

1904 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Lohengrin (Ortruda)

1904 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Linda di Chamonix (Pierotto)

1904 Madrid Teatro Reale Favorita (Leonora)

1904 Madrid  Teatro Reale Norma (Adalgisa)

1905 Firenze  Teatro della Pergola Favorita (Leonora)

1906 Madrid  Teatro Reale Favorita (Leonora)

1906 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Trovatore (Azucena)

1907 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Opera Favorita (Leonora)

1907 Madrid  Teatro Reale Lohengrin (Ortruda)

1907 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Lohengrin (Ortruda)

1909 Madrid  Teatro Reale Lohengrin (Ortruda)


TRACKLIST


 

Trovatore (Verdi) Stride la vampa! 39115 XPh122 Fonotipia, Milano 1904-12

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Angele Dei with Giannina Russ 74001 XXPh418 Fonotipia, Milano 1905-11-02

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Figlia che reggi with Giannina Russ and Antonio Magini-Coletti 74004 XXPh462 Fonotipia, Milano 1905-11-1

Carmen (Bizet): Presso il bastion di Siviglia 39623 Xph 1817 Fonotipia, Milano 1906-04-22

Ugonotti (Meyerbeer): No, no, no, giammai de giovin paggio 39646 xph 1818 Fonotipia, Milano 1906-04-22

Trovatore (Verdi): Ai nostri monti with Giovanni Zenatello 39819 xph 1827 Fonotipia, Milano 1906-04-23

Forza del destino (Verdi): Viva la guerra… Al suon del tamburo 39817 xph 2126 Fonotipia, Milano 1906-10-10

Forza del destino (Verdi): Rataplan 39818 xph 2149 Fonotipia, Milano 1906-10-18

Profeta (Meyerbeer): Figlio mio 39912 xph 2201 Fonotipia, Milano 1906-11-02

Favorita (Donizetti): O mio Fernando 92054 xph 2813 Fonotipia, Milano 1907-11-04

Carmen (Bizet): All’udir del sistro il suon 92041 xph 2847 Fonotipia, Milano 1907-11-11

Faust (Gounod): Le parlate d’amor 92061 xph 2851 Fonotipia, Milano 1907-11-11

Carmen (Bizet): Voglio danzar pel tuo piacer with Giuseppe Sala 92094 xph 2933 Fonotipia, Milano 1907-11-28

Serenata (Leggenda Valacca) 74101 xph 3012 Fonotipia, Milano 1907-12-14

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Voce di donna 92118 xph 3014 Fonotipia, Milano 1907-12-14

Roi de lahore (Massenet): Viaggia, o bella, nei infini cieli 92119 xph 3015 Fonotipia, Milano 1907-12-14

Mignon (Thomas): Ah, veder l’amata stanza 92095 xph 3016 Fonotipia, Milano 1907-12-14

Aida (Verdi): Fu la sorte degl’armi with Ester Mazzoleni 74145 xxph 3947 Fonotipia, Milano 1909-06-17

Trovatore (Verdi): Condotta ell’era in ceppi with Giuseppe Krismer 92549 xph 3962 Fonotipia, Milano 1909-06-21

Ballo in maschera (Verdi): Re dell’abisso, affrettati 92581 xph 3972 Fonotipia, Milano 1909-06-23

Trovatore (Verdi): Giorni poveri vivea with Ferruccio Corradetti and Pasquale Amato 92569 xph 4023 Fonotipia, Milano 1909-06-30

Trovatore (Verdi): Deh, rallentate, o barbari with Ferruccio Corradetti and Pasquale Amato 92570 xph 4024

Lohengrin (Wagner): Ortruda, ove sei tu? with Lina Pasini-Vitale 74147 XXPh4034 Fonotipia, Milano 1909-07-02

Aida (Verdi): Gran Concertato Finale Atto II with Icilio Calleja, Lina Pasini-Vitale, Antonio Magini-Coletti, Ferruccio Corradetti and Oreste Luppi 69022 xxxPh 4036


ITALIAN MEZZO-SOPRANO ARMIDA PARSI-PETTINELLA (1868-1949) CDR

GERMAN SOPRANO ADELE KERN (1901-1980) CDR

 



ADELE KERN (MUNICH, 25 NOVEMBER, 1901 – MUNICH, 6 MAY, 1980)


 



She was a pupil of Hermine Bosetti in Munich and made her debut in 1924 at the Munich State Opera as Olympia in Les Contes d’Hoffmann. She remained engaged at this house until 1926 and then sang at the Oper Frankfurt during the 1926-1928 seasons. In 1926, she performed there in the world premiere of the opera Die zehn Küsse by Bernhard Sekles. After undertaking a major South American tour in 1927, she joined the Vienna State Opera in 1928, where she remained until 1935. One of her greatest successes there was in 1930 as Angelina in G. Rossini’s La Cenerentola opposite Koloman von Pataky. In 1930, she also took part in the world premiere of the operetta Das Veilchen vom Montmartre by Emmerich Kálmán at the Vienna Johann Strauss Theater. In 1934, she appeared at the Vienna State Opera in the premiere of the opera Das Veilchen by Julius Bittner.

At the Salzburg Festival, she sang the part of Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro in 1927 and in the 1930-1935 seasons, Zerline in Don Giovanni in 1927 and the 1929-1930 season, Despina in Così fan tutte in the 1931-1932 and 1934-1935 seasons, Marzelline in Fidelio in 1927, and Sophie in R. Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier from 1929 to 1935. In 1931 and 1933, she was a guest at Covent Garden Opera in London, where her Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier was admired. She made guest appearances in Milan, Rome, Paris, Venice, and Rio de Janeiro, and also undertook a very successful tour of Egypt. At the Berlin Theater des Westens, she participated in the world premiere of the operetta Die lockende Flamme by E. Künnecke on December 27, 1933.

In the 1935-1937 seasons, she was a member of the Berlin State Opera but returned to Munich in 1938, where she was extremely popular. She retired from the stage in 1947 due to a heart condition.

 


TRACKLIST

 


Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Ihr edlen Herrn allhier 66946 887Bi Polydor, Berlin 1929

Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Endlich naht sich die Stunde 66945 888Bi Polydor, Berlin 1929

An der schönen blauen Donau (Strauss) 27287 1188BI Polydor, Berlin 1931

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Lasst ab mit Fragen (Saper vorreste) 62690 1729BH Polydor, Berlin 1929

Bohème (Puccini) Will ich allein des Abends in Paris (Qunado me’n vo) 62690 1730BH Polydor, Berlin 1929

Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach) Phöbus stolz (Puppenarie) P9226 2-20564 Parlophon, Berlin 1928-01-12

Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart) Durch Zärtlichkeit 66945 889Bi Polydor, Berlin 1929

Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart) Nie werd’ ich deine Huld verkennen (w. Berger, Hirzel, Jöken & Kandl) 35005 690½BE8 Polydor, Berlin 1933

Fidelio (Beethoven) O wär ich schon mit dir vereint 66946 886Bi Polydor, Berlin 1929

Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald (Strauss) 27228 1049½BI

Il bacio (Arditi) 27226 1043BI Polydor, Berlin 1930

Parla! (Arditi) 27226 1048BI Polydor, Berlin 1930

Wiener Blut (Strauss) Grüß Gott mein liebes Kind (w. Strauss) P9226, 2-20568 Parlophon, Berlin 1928-01-12

Zauberflöte (Mozart) Hm, hm, hm (w. Berger, Ruzicka, Hirzel & Neumann) 35005 689½BE8 Polydor, Berlin 1933

Rosenkavalier (Strauss): Hab mir’s gelobt (w. Ohms & Marherr) 66931 882½Bi Polydor, Berlin 1929

Rosenkavalier (Strauss): Ist ein Traum (w. Marherr) 66931 883Bi  Polydor, Berlin 1929

Ariadne auf Naxos (Strauss): Grossmächtige Prinzessin 95490 693½BE8 Polydor, Berlin 1933

Mignon (Thomas): Titania ist herabgestiegen unpubl 2-20565 Parlophon, Berlin 1928-01-12

Bravourvariationen über ein Thema von Mozart (Adam) unpubl 1046BI Polydor, Berlin 1930

Der Vogel im Walde (Taubert) 24306 2872BH I Polydor, Berlin 1931


GERMAN SOPRANO ADELE KERN (1901-1980) CDR

CZECH TENOR BOHUMIL PTÁK (1869-1933) CDR

 



BOHUMIL PTÁK (PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC, 14 JUNE, 1869 – PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC, 4 FEBRUARY, 1933)




 

He began his career as an actor with various traveling opera troupes. He was, among other things, a pupil of F. Pivoda. He made his debut in 1890 at the Opernhaus in Brno (Brünn) as Hans in B. Smetana’s Die verkaufte Braut and appeared at this opera house until 1896. That same year, he made his debut in Dalibor at the National Theatre in Prague. There, he soon achieved great success, performing roles such as Roméo in Roméo et Juliette, Radamès in Aida, Cavaradossi in Tosca, and Eleazar in La Juive.

At the National Opera in Prague, he was involved in important premieres of Czech operas of his era: on November 23, 1899, he took part in the premiere of Čert a Káča by A. Dvořák; on March 31, 1901, he sang the role of the Prince in the premiere of A. Dvořák’s Rusalka; and on March 25, 1904, he appeared in the premiere of A. Dvořák’s Armida.

During the 1912-1914 seasons, he was active in North America, then returned to Prague. He spent the last ten years of his life living in complete seclusion.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1890-1896 Brno Opernhaus Verkaufter Braut

1896 Prague National Theatre Dalibor

1899 Prague National Theatre Čert a Káča

1901 Prague National Theatre Rusalka

1904 Prague National Theatre Armida

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Dalibor (Smetana) Arie Dalibora v žaláři Pathé 39924

Dalibor (Smetana) Arie Pathé 39917

Kdyz jsem ja ty kone pasal Odeon 18051

Koupim ja si kone Odeon 8741

Kovarovic Andula Odeon 18050

Muziky, muziky Odeon 8742

Prodaná Nevěsta (Smetana) Jak možná věřit Pathé 39919

Prodaná Nevěsta (Smetana) Znám jednu dívku (w. Kliment) Pathé 39916

V studni (Blodka) Duetto (w. Kliment) Pathé 39920

V studni (Blodka) Kvartett (w. Kliment, Kubatova; Feldenova) Pathé 39927

a) Já jsem mistr seminářcký (-); b) Ja mem Holku (-) Edison 9867

a) Mně darovalo prystýnek (-); b) Seděla cikánka (-) Edison 9866

a) Něstastný Safářov (Dvořák); b) Všecko jedno je kamerádi me (-) Edison 9865

a) Prodaná Nevěsta (Smetana) Jako e Gatka požehnáním; b) Prodaná Nevěsta (Smetana) Verné Milování (w. Foersterová) Edison 9864

Když Ja Libě Spim Columbia E1076

V tom nasem sadecku Odeon 18027

Tam v odoli Columbia E1076 9964

Vaška a Mařenky with Hanna Foerstrova Victor 63622

Kdo nás oddal Victor 63624

Ne ty to nepoviš Victor 63622


CZECH TENOR BOHUMIL PTÁK (1869-1933) CDR

ARGENTINE TENOR ROGELIO BALDRICH (1890-1975) CDR




ROGELIO BALDRICH (RAMOS MEJÍA, PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA 1890 – BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA 1975)

 

 

 

 

From approximately the mid-1930s, he began to appear on the opera stages as a comprimario.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1911 Oakland Idora Park ‘’Un Ballo in maschera’’ (Riccardo) with Elvira Bosetti, Adalgisa Giana, Emilia Prati and Michele Giovacchini

1916 Buenos Ayres Teatro Marconi ‘’Favorita’’ (Fernando) with Elisa Marcomini, Alberto Terrones and Carlos Carrera

1918 San Paulo Teatro San Josè ‘’Cavalleria Rusticana’’ (Turiddu) with Maria Viscardi, Emma Fantuzzi and  Tino Bruno

1921 Montevideo Teatro Solis ‘’Gioconda’’ (Enzo) with Elvira Galeazzi, Rosalia Pangrazy and  Enrico De Franceschi

1924 New York Manhattan Opera House ‘’Il Barbiere di Siviglia’’ (Almaviva) with Adriana Boccanera, Giuseppe Maero, Nino Ruisi and Giuseppe La Puma

1941 Buenos Ayres Teatro Colon ‘’Lucia di Lammermoor’’ with Humberto DI Toto, Elena Venturino, Renato Cesari and Carlos Giusti

1941 Buenos Ayres Teatro Colon ‘’Don Pasquale’’ with Bruno Landi, Victor Damiani, Salvatore Baccaloni and Amelia Conte

1941 Buenos Ayres Teatro Colon ‘’Fra Diavolo’’ with Humberto DI Toto, Alvaro Bandini, Vittorio Bacciato and Emma Brizzio.

 

TRACKLIST

 

Odeon, Spain 

No te olvido zortzico (Villar) 184118a SO 4995

La canción el día. Canción de Amalio (Guerrero) 184167a SO 6199

Ya canta el gallo zambra (Villar) 184118b SO 4996

La Tempranica (Gimenez): Romanza del lobito Yo te quiero 184225a SO 6802

Martierra (Hernández Catá/Guerrero): Prologo 184. 105a SO4891

Martierra (Hernández Catá/Guerrero): Dúo del Acordeón with Marcos Redondo 121. 041

La Meiga (Guridi, Romero y Fdez. Shaw): Canto a Galicia 184.123b 80. 5123

Coplas de Ronda (Alonso) Coplas Odeon 121081b XXS 5413

La ventera de alcala (Calleja, Luna, Granada & San José): Pasacalle de la Estudiantina 184158 SO 5761

Himno de la Exposicion de Sevilla (Alonso) 121081a XXXS 5412

Los Ojos Negros (Alvarez) 184.127 a. SO5164

La Meiga (Guridi, Romero y Fdez. Shaw): Romanza con coro de tiples 184123 a SO 5122

Himno a Valencia (Serrano) 173506 XXS 6269

La Castañuela (Alonso, Acevedo, Castillo & Román): Dragones del Rey 184221 SO 6797

La canción del soldado (Serrano) Odeon 173506 XXS 6280

Oh! Maria Mari Cancion en Espanol 184.239b SO.7056

Lolita ( Buzzi-Peccia) 184151a SO 5590

Fenesta che lucive (Bellini) 184151b SO 5165

La paloma (Iradier) canción Odeon 184127b SO 5166

Torna a Sorrento (De Curtis) 184239a SO 7055

Bohemios (Vives) Coro de bohemios. Coro de repatriados Odeon 121064 XXS 5110

María la Tempranica (Moreno Torroba) Escena gitana Odeon 184225a SO 6802


ARGENTINE TENOR ROGELIO BALDRICH (1890-1975) CDR

Sep 30, 2026

AUSTRIAN SOPRANO MELANIE KURT (1880-1941) CDR

 



MELANIE KURT (JANUARY 8, 1880 IN VIENNA – MARCH 11, 1941 IN NEW YORK CITY)


 

 


She was born on January 8, 1880 in Vienna. Melanie Kurt first studied to become a pianist in her native City of Vienna before starting to take singing lessons. Later she went to Berlin, where Marie Lehmann, sister of the great soprano Lilli Lehmann, became her teacher. From 1897 to 1900 she only appeared as a pianist, before she gave her début at the civic theatre in Lübeck as ‘Elisabeth’ in Richard Wagner’s Tannhäuser in 1902. From 1903 to 1904 she was engaged at Oper Leipzig, after further studies in Berlin she worked in Braunschweig from 1905 to 1908 before returning to Berlin where she sang at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, then (from 1912 to 1915) at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. From her Berlin base Kurt started her international career, giving successful guest performances at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, London (since 1910) and during the Salzburg Mozart-Fest in 1910 (which would become the Salzburg Festival later). Later she added La Scala in Milan, the Vienna State Opera, the Saxon State Opera Dresden and the Bavarian State Opera to the list. Her career reached its peak when she joined the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 1914 where she succeeded Olive Fremstad as the company’s leading Wagner soprano for three years. Her contract ended when the USA joined World War I in 1917 and Wagner operas were banned as being to German. Though the situation was difficult for Kurt she didn’t return to Europe at once but stayed in the US until 1919 before returning to Germany. In the following years she sang mainly in Berlin again, in Leipzig, Stuttgart, Dresden, Vienna and at the famous Wagner Festival in Zoppot (1922), then a serious rival to the Bayreuth Festival. Around 1930 the singer retreated gradually from stage and started working as a teacher in Berlin. After 1933 Kurt – who was Jewish – had to emigrate to Vienna. In 1938, when the Nazis took over Austria Kurt left the continent for good and returned to the USA. Until her death in 1941 she lived and taught in New York City.


 

TRACKLIST


 


Aida (Verdi) Bald kommt Radamès… O Vaterland 043205, Gramophone, Berlin 1911-10-11

Aida (Verdi) Es hat der Stein sich über mir geschlossen (w. Urlus) 044180 Gramophone, Berlin 1911-01-07

Aida (Verdi) Ich seh’ dich wieder with Jacques Urlus Gramophone 044173 2138c

Aida (Verdi) O sag’, warum auf Neue (w. Metzger & chorus) 044179, Gramophone, Berlin 1911-01-20

Aida (Verdi) Sieh’ dort den Todesengel (w. Urlus) 044181 Gramophone, Berlin 1911-01-07

Aida (Verdi) Wohl war euch das Los der Waffen feindlich (w. Metzger & chorus) 044178, Gramophone, Berlin 1911-01-20

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Der Tod sei mir willkommen 1357, P252 Parlophon, Berlin 1912-07

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Wenn das Kraut, wie die Seherin kündet 1356, P252 Parlophon, Berlin 1912-07

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Du hier Santuzza (w. Jörn) 044199 Gramophone, Berlin 1911-10-05

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Nein! Nein, Turiddu! (w. Jörn) 044200, Gramophone, Berlin 1911-10-05

Fidelio (Beethoven) Komm, Hoffnung 1368 Parlophon, Berlin 1912-08

Fliegende Holländer (Wagner) Bleib’, Senta! (w. Kraus) 044201, Gramophone, Berlin 1911-12-14

Fliegende Holländer (Wagner) Fühlst du den Schmerz (w. Kraus) 044202, Gramophone, Berlin 1911-12-14

Fliegende Holländer (Wagner) Jo-ho-hoe! (Ballade) 043191, 65477 Gramophone, Berlin 1911-09-13

Fliegende Holländer (Wagner) Versank ich jetzt (w. Feinhals) 044185 Gramophone, Berlin 1911-09-13

Fliegende Holländer (Wagner) Versank ich jetzt (w. Schorr) 65621 (B25007) Polydor, Berlin 1921 (Spring)

Götterdämmerung (Wagner) Lass ich, Liebste… Zu neuen Taten, pt 1 (w. Jörn) 044269 Gramophone, Berlin 1914-05-19

Götterdämmerung (Wagner) Lass ich, Liebste… Zu neuen Taten, pt 2 (w. Jörn) 044270 Gramophone, Berlin 1914-05-19

Parsifal (Wagner) Ich sah das Kind 043256, Gramophone, Berlin 1913-12-02

Parsifal (Wagner) Seit Ewigkeiten harre ich deiner 043257 Gramophone, Berlin 1913-12-02

Prophète (Meyerbeer) Ein armer Pilger naht (w. Kurt) Gram 044175 2118c

Tristan und Isolde (Wagner) Mild und leise 1355, P254, Parlophon, Berlin 1912-07

Walküre (Wagner) Der Männer Sippe sass hier im Saal 043190, 65477 Gramophone, Berlin 1911-09-13

Walküre (Wagner) Siegmund! Sieh’ auf mich! (w. Urlus) 044166 Gramophone, Berlin 1910-08-18


AUSTRIAN SOPRANO MELANIE KURT (1880-1941) CDR

GERMAN SOPRANO HERMINE BOSETTI (1875-1936) CDR

 



HERMINE BOSETTI (28 SEPTEMBER 1875, VIENNA – 1 MAY 1936, HOHENRAIN OR MUNICH)




 
 
 
 
Her real name was Hermine von Flick. She studied singing under Ms. Aurelie Jäger-Wilczek in Vienna and made her debut in 1898 at the Hoftheater in Wiesbaden as Ännchen in Der Freischütz. She remained there until 1900 and in the 1900-1901 season sang at the Vienna Court Opera. From 1901 until her retirement in 1926, she was a member of the Munich Court Opera. In 1903, she appeared in the Munich premiere of Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari’s Le donne curiose at the Residenztheater as Colombine. In 1906, she sang at the Residenztheater again in the premiere of Wolf-Ferrari’s I quattro rusteghi. In 1912, she took part in the world premiere of Wilhelm Mauke’s Franfreluche at the Court Opera.
In 1910, she created the role of Cio-Cio-San in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly for Munich, and in 1911, she performed Octavian in Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier and Massenet’s Manon. In 1913, she sang Zerbinetta in Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos. She appeared as a guest at the Berlin Court Opera in 1905 and 1914, at the Court Opera in Dresden in 1910, and at the Vienna Court Opera several times from 1908 to 1911. She also performed at the Stuttgart Court Theater from 1905 to 1915, at the Deutsches Theater in Prague in 1907, at the Vienna Volksoper in 1908, and at the Frankfurt Opera House from 1906 to 1915. Her guest appearances included the opera houses of Cologne and Leipzig, the Stadttheater in Bremen, the Riga Opera House in 1906 and 1907, the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels in 1912, and the Stadttheater in Basel in 1921.
She achieved notable successes in Russia, performing in St. Petersburg alongside Mattia Battistini. In 1912, she appeared at the Municipal Theater of Zurich as Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, Violetta in La traviata, and Frau Fluth in Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor. At Covent Garden Opera in 1907, she performed in Smetana’s The Bartered Bride and Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. In 1913, she was heard at His Majesty’s Theater in London in the English premiere of Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos. That same season, she again performed Octavian in Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier at Covent Garden.
She remained active at the Munich Opera until 1926, including as a guest from 1924 to 1926. From 1924 to 1930, she taught at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt a.M., and later in Munich. Her daughter, Elly Bosetti, made her debut in the 1930s as a soprano, performing as Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana at the Municipal Theater of Bamberg in 1935.

 
 
TRACKLIST
 
 



Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Frag’ ich mein, pt 1 2-43489 18640L Gramophone, Berlin 1916-07
Don Giovanni (Mozart) Reich mir die Hand (w. Feinhals) X52585 xB3419 Odeon, Berlin 1908-03
Freischütz (Weber) Schelm, halt’ fest (w. Hafgren-Waag) AA57886 xxB5161 Odeon, Berlin 1911-06
Lustigen Weiber von Windsor (Nicolai) Nein, das ist wirklich (w. Ober) XX76267 xxB5608 Odeon, Berlin 1912 (Spring)
Traviata (Verdi) Alfred du weißt nicht X99052 xB3890 Odeon, Berlin 1908-0607
Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Frag’ ich mein, pt 2 2-43490 18641L Gramophone, Berlin 1916-07
Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach) Phöbus stolz im Sonnenwagen XX76001 xxB3418 Odeon, Berlin 1908-03
Don Pasquale (Donizetti) O diese Glut in Blicken XX76043 xxB4676 Odeon, Berlin 1909-09
Frühlingsstimmen, Walzer (Strauss) 043289 987m Gramophone, Berlin 1916-07
Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Eine holde, edle Dame (Pagenarie) XX76348 xxB5845 Odeon, Berlin 1913
Lustigen Weiber von Windsor (Nicolai) Welch ein Frevel (w. Ober) XX76268, xxB5609 Odeon, Berlin 1912 (Spring)
Martha (Flotow) Ha, sie ist’s (w. Naval) XX80038 xxB4599 Odeon, Berlin 1909-09
Martha (Flotow) Letzte Rose AA53028, xxB5844 Odeon, Berlin 1913
Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) So lang’ hab’ ich geschmachtet (w. Feinhals) X52586 xB3433 Odeon, Berlin 1908-03
Rigoletto (Verdi) Teurer Name 043288 986m Gramophone, Berlin 1916-07
Traviata (Verdi) Lebt wohl jetzt, ihr Gebilde X99028 xB3888 Odeon, Berlin 1908-0607
Traviata (Verdi) Wenn mit der Zeit (w. Weil) AA79105 xxB5144 Odeon, Berlin 1911-06
Waffenschmied (Lortzing) Er schläft AA79108 xxB5590 Odeon, Berlin 1912 (Spring)
Zauberflöte (Mozart) Der Hölle Rache 43786 4446L G&T, München 1906-08
Zauberflöte (Mozart) Zum leiden bin ich 43785 4445L G&T, München 1906-08

GERMAN SOPRANO HERMINE BOSETTI (1875-1936) CDR

ENGLISH SOPRANO MIRIAM LICETTE (1885-1969) CDR

 


MIRIAM LICETTE (OVER, CHESHIRE, ENGLAND, 9 SEPTEMBER, 1885 – READING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 11 AUGUST, 1969)





She descended from an English-French family and spent her childhood in Chester, Hong Kong, and Singapore. She was first noticed by Dame Nellie Melba, who advised her to study in Paris with Melba’s own teacher, Mathilde Marchesi. She further honed her vocal technique under Jean de Reszke in Paris and Sabattini in Milan.

She made her debut in 1911 in Rome as Madama Butterfly and subsequently performed in Genoa. She lived in Italy until 1914. During World War I, she became the leading prima donna of the Beecham Opera in London. With the Beecham Opera ensemble, she performed at Covent Garden in the 1919-1920 season as Eurydice in Orpheus (with Clara Butt as Orpheus) and Jaroslawna in Prince Igor. In 1920, she sang the role of Mimi in La Bohème during Covent Garden’s opening season.

As a member of the British National Opera in 1917, she performed as Gräfin in Le nozze di Figaro and Constance in Die Entführung aus dem Serail. She returned to Covent Garden in the 1928-1929 season. In 1935, she appeared on the BBC in a performance of Paul Hindemith’s Cardillac. After her performing career, she retired to focus on teaching singing.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1911 Roma Opera

1917 London British National Opera

1919-1920 London Covent Garden

 

TRACKLIST


 

Don Giovanni (Mozart) Batti, Batti (Strike, O Strike) Columbia WAX5021 DX130

Don Giovanni (Mozart) Recit & Aria Mi Tradi Quell’alma Ingrata (Thus Betrayed) Columbia WAX4903 11894

Maritana (Vincent Wallace) Finale (Act2) What Mystery? with Heddle Nash and Dennis Noble Columbia CA11926 63506

Maritana (Vincent Wallace) Pretty Gitana Columbia CA11927 63505

Maritana (Vincent Wallace) Scenes that are Brightest Columbia CA11918 63453

Maritana (Vincent Wallace) Of Fairy Wand Had I the Power with Dennis Noble Columbia CA11920 63474

Maritana (Vincent Wallace) ‘Tis the harp in the air Columbia CA11916 63451

Maritana (Vincent Wallace) Sainted Mother with Clara Serena Columbia CA11930 63502

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Finale if thou deemest me so unworthy Columbia 4358 A 5067

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Pour the Philtre in his Wine Columbia 4357 A 5069

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Pure, yes, I know thou art Columbia 4357 A 5063

The Barber of Saville (Rossini) Can I Be Dare I Believe Thee (act 1) part 1 with Dennis Noble Columbia WAX2871 7801

The Barber of Saville (Rossini) Can I Be Dare I Believe Thee (act 1) part 2 with Dennis Noble Columbia WAX2872 7802

Bohemian Girl (Balfe) Vocal gems, pt 1 and pt 2 (w. Licette) Columbia 9579 WAX 4343-2, 4344-1

Choral symphony, no. 9 in D minor Part 13 last movement (second part) with Hubert Eisdell, Muriel Brunskill, Harold Williams Columbia AX1362 L1781

Choral symphony, no. 9 in D minor Part 16 last movement (Conclusion) with Hubert Eisdell, Muriel Brunskill, Harold Williams Columbia AX1362 L1782

Faust (Gounod) I pray you go with Heddle Nash and Robert Easton Columbia DX97 WAX4833

Faust (Gounod) Now let me try my fortune with Heddle Nash Columbia DX97 WAX4837

Faust (Gounod) Margarita, ah! begone with Heddle Nash Columbia DX98 WAX4838

Faust (Gounod) I know…Look, there she opens the window with Robert Easton Columbia DX98 WAX5430


ENGLISH SOPRANO MIRIAM LICETTE (1885-1969) CDR

DUTCH CONTRALTO MAARTJE OFFERS (1891-1944) CDR

 




MAARTJE OFFERS (27 FEBRUARY 1891, KOUDEKERK (AAN DEN RIJN) – 28 JANUARY 1944, THOLEN)




 
 
 
 
She studied at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag under Arnold Spoel and Mrs. Hekking, and later with Pauline de Haan-Manifarges in Rotterdam. She made her debut as a concert singer in Leiden in 1910. In 1917, she made her stage debut at the Théâtre de la Haye as Dalila in Samson et Dalila by C. Saint-Saëns. She performed with several Dutch opera societies and made a notable guest appearance in 1920 as Dalila alongside Jacques Urlus in Paris.
During the 1924-1925 season, she achieved significant success at La Scala as Erda and Fricka in Wagner’s Ring Cycle. She also performed at the Teatro Fenice in Venice and undertook a tour of Australia. In 1926, she sang Gustav Mahler’s 2nd Symphony in New York under Willem Mengelberg. Her concert performances were highly praised in London.
In 1928, she returned to her native Netherlands, where she appeared infrequently in concert halls. In 1936, she sang the role of Fricka in Die Walküre in Amsterdam. Her final concert took place in The Hague in 1940. She was married to lawyer van Buuren, from whom she separated in 1928. She passed away during World War II on the island of Tholen and was laid to rest in The Hague.

 
Chronology of some appearances

 
1917 Théâtre de la Haye
1924-1925 Milano La Scala
1926 New York

 
TRACKLIST

 


 
Trovatore (Verdi) Giorni poveri vivea with Marturano and Pinza Gramophone DB754 2-0541
Die Ehre Gottes in der Natur (Beethoven) HMV DA1067 (7-43090)
Don Carlo (Verdi) O don fatale HMV DB1158 (2-053316)
Favorita (Donizetti) O mio Fernando HMV DB1185 (2-053301)
Götterdämmerung (Wagner) Geh’ heim (w. Austral) HMV D1578 (2-044050)
Götterdämmerung (Wagner) Seine Raben beide HMV D1577 (2-043075)
Götterdämmerung (Wagner) Seit er von dir geschieden HMV D1576 (2-043095)
Matthäuspassion (Bach) Erbarme dich, mein Gott, pt 1 HMV DB907 (2-043046)
Orfeo ed Eurydice (Gluck) Che farò HMV DB1185 (2-053272)
Rienzi (Wagner) Gerechter Gott HMV DB756 (2-043034)
Rienzi (Wagner) In seiner Blut HMV DB756 (2-043035)
Rinaldo (Händel) Lascia ch’io piango HMV DA1067 (7-53120)
Trovatore (Verdi) Condotta ell’era in ceppi HMV DB1158 (2-053315)
Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns): Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix HMV DB912 (2-033105)
Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns): Amour viens aider ma faiblesse HMV DB912 (2-033106)
O du fröhliche (trad) HMV DA768 (7-43085)
Stille Nacht (Gruber) HMV DA768 (7-43086)
Aida (Verdi): Fu la sorte dell’armi (w. Poli-Randaccio) DB 728 2-054137
Aida (Verdi): Pieta ti prendi (w. Poli-Randaccio) DB 728 2-054138
Mignon (Thomas): Connais-tu le pays HMV DB913 (2-033108)

DUTCH CONTRALTO MAARTJE OFFERS (1891-1944) CDR

ELISABETH RETHBERG THE COMPLETE ODEON RECORDINGS CDR

 


ELISABETH RETHBERG (SCHWARZENBERG, GERMANY 22 SEPTEMBER 1894 – YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK 6 JUNE 1976)

 

 

 

 

Her real name was Lisbeth Sättler. Displaying remarkable musical talent from a young age, she performed Schubert songs at the age of seven. She first studied piano (1912-1913), then singing at the Conservatory of Dresden, and later with the Dresden teacher Otto Watrin. She made her debut at the Dresdner Hofoper in 1915 as Arsena in Zigeunerbaron and achieved significant success there as Agathe in Der Freischütz. In 1919, she sang the role of the Empress in the Dresden premiere of R. Strauss’s Frau ohne Schatten. On December 11, 1917, she appeared in the premiere of Hans Pfitzner’s Christelflein in Dresden, and on February 23, 1920, in Hugo Kaun’s Der Fremde.

She then performed at the Hofoper in Vienna and also in Berlin. She was highly successful in Leipzig Gewandhaus concerts. She remained in Dresden until 1922, after which she joined the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she enjoyed brilliant successes from 1922 to 1942. Her debut role in New York was Aida, and in 1928, she sang in the premiere of Respighi’s Campana sommersa. Arturo Toscanini praised her voice as the most beautiful soprano he had ever heard.

During the 1928-1940 seasons, she performed frequently at the San Francisco Opera and, from 1934 to 1941, at the Chicago Opera. She also appeared at the Ravinia Festival near Chicago. She sang at the Havana Opera in 1923 and 1928, at Covent Garden Opera in London from 1925 and again from 1934 to 1939, at La Scala in Milan in 1929 (as Aida under Toscanini), and at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma in 1934. In 1936, she achieved great success with R. Strauss’s Rosenkavalier at Covent Garden.

In her native Germany, she sang the title role in the world premiere of R. Strauss’s Die Ägyptische Helena at the Staatsoper in Dresden on June 6, 1928. At the Salzburg Festival, she performed the role of Konstanze in Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail (1922), Leonore in Fidelio (1933), Donna Anna in Don Giovanni (1937), and the soprano solo in Verdi’s Requiem (1933). Her concert tours took her across North America, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

Her first husband was the merchant Albert Doman. In 1957, she married the baritone George Cehanovsky (1892-1986). She retired from the stage in 1942 and gave a final concert at New York’s Town Hall in 1944. She continued to live in New York. Her repertoire included Aida, Donna Anna, Desdemona, Leonora in Il Trovatore, Butterfly, Tosca, Agathe in Der Freischütz, Maddalena in Andrea Chénier, Sieglinde, Elsa, Elisabeth in Tannhäuser, and Sieglinde in Die Walküre.

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Africaine (Mayerbeer) Leb’ wohl, freundliches Gestade 80160 xxB6564 Odeon, Berlin 1920 (Autumn)

Africaine (Meyerbeer) Leb’ wohl, freundlich Gestade O-4530 Be10391 Odeon, Berlin 1933-06-22

Carmen (Bizet) Arie der Micaela 80161 xxB6562 Odeon, Berlin 1920 (Autumn)

Carmen (Bizet) Bei meiner Mutter (w. Tauber) 80713 xxB6644 Odeon, Berlin 1921-04-08

Carmen (Bizet) Ich seh’ die Mutter (w. Tauber) 80712 xxB6643 Odeon, Berlin 1921-04-08

Carmen (Bizet) Ich sprach, daß ich furchtlos mich fühle O-8378 xxB8486 Odeon, Berlin 1930-05-21

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Als euer Sohn einst fortzog O-4530 Be10390 Odeon, Berlin 1933-06-22

Die Sylphe des Friedens (Mozart) 80168 xxB6570 Odeon, Berlin 1920 (Autumn)

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Die prunkende (w. Tauber) 80732 xxB6743 Odeon, Berlin 1922-04

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Eines Tages sehen wir O-8378 xxB8487 Odeon, Berlin 1930-05-21

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) ‘s ist schon was Wahres dran (w. Tauber) 80733, xxB6744 Odeon, Berlin 1922-04

Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Heil’ge Quelle 80166 xxB6639 Odeon, Berlin 1921-0304

Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Heil’ge Quelle O-4976 Be9005 Odeon, Berlin 1930-05-21

Pastorale (Bizet) 76215 xxB6568 Odeon, Berlin 1920 (Autumn)

Prodana Nevesta (Smetana) Nun in Lust und Leide (w. Tauber) 80749 xxB6646 Odeon, Berlin 1921-04-08

Zauberflöte (Mozart) Ach ich fühl’s 80165 xxB6563 Odeon, Berlin 1920 (Autumn)

Zigeunerbaron (Strauss) So elend und so treu ist keiner auf Erden O-4976 Be9004 Odeon, Berlin 1930-05-21

Zigeunerbaron (Strauss) Zigeunerlied der Saffi 80167 xxB6566 Odeon, Berlin 1920 (Autumn)

Die Einsame (Hubert Pataky) 76216 xxB6573 Odeon, Berlin 1920 (Autumn)

Freundliche Vision (R Strauss) 76229 xxB6640 Odeon, Berlin 1921-03/04

Ständchen (R Strauss) 80086 xxB6641 Odeon, Berlin 1921-03/04


ELISABETH RETHBERG THE COMPLETE ODEON RECORDINGS CDR

AUSTRIAN SOPRANO HEDWIG FRANCILLO-KAUFMANN (1878-1948) CDR

 


HEDWIG [HEDI] FRANCILLO-KAUFMANN (VIENNA: 20 [30] SEP 1878 – RIO DE JANEIRO: 5 APR 1948)




 

She was trained by Franzi Müller and Emilie Dorr in Vienna, then by Aglaja von Orgeni in Dresden and Maestro Rosario in Milan. She made her debut in 1898 at the Stadttheater in Stettin. During the 1899-1902 seasons, she appeared at the Hoftheater in Wiesbaden, followed by the Hofoper in Munich for the 1902-1903 season. She performed at the Berlin Hofoper from 1903 to 1905 and achieved significant success at the Komische Oper in Berlin during the 1905-1907 seasons.

In the 1907-08 season, she joined the Hofoper in Berlin and continued her career at the Hofoper in Vienna from 1908 until 1912. She worked at the Opernhaus Hamburg from 1912 to 1917. From 1917, she made guest appearances in Vienna, Berlin, Brussels, Paris, London, Munich, and South America.

She retired from the stage in 1927 and lived in Berlin and later Vienna. After the Second World War, she married the Brazilian consul and took on the family name de Sanza Gunnaraez.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1898 Stettin Stadttheater

1899-1902  Wiesbaden Hoftheater

1902-1903 Munich Hofoper

1903-1905 Berlin Hofoper

1905-1907 Berlin Komische Oper

1907-1908 Berlin Hofoper

1908-1912 Wien Hofoper

1912-1917 Hamburg Opernhaus


TRACKLIST



Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Frag’ ich mein, pt 1 G&T 2-43211 13824u

Fille du Régiment (Donizetti) Ach, unsonst denkt ihr G&T 2-43195 13807u

Huguenots (Meyerbeer) O glücklich Land G&T 2-43210 13811u

Lakmé (Delibes) Glöckchenarie G&T 2-43177 13821u

Manon (Massenet) Nützet die schönen Jugendtage (Gavotte) G&T 2-43196 13822u

Parla! Valzer (Arditi) G&T 53555 13812u

Rigoletto (Verdi) Teurer Name G&T 2-43176 13810u

Traviata (Verdi) Er ist es, dessen wonnig’ Bild G&T 2-43216 13808u

Trovatore (Verdi) Befreit, o welche Seligkeit (w. Schwarz) Parlophon O7050

Trovatore (Verdi) Sieh meiner heißen Tränen Flut (w. Schwarz) Parlophon O7049

Ernani (Verdi) Cavatine Parlophon P1444

Traviata (Verdi) Lebt wohl jetzt ihr Gebilde Parlophon O7016

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Vogellied Parlophon 2-1921

Tosca (Puccini) Nur der Schönheit (Gebet) Parlophon 2-1925

Mignon (Thomas) Titania-Arie Parlophon P1441

Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) O säume länger nicht Parlophon P241

Puritani (Bellini) Arie der Elvira Artiphon 7262

Ave Maria (Bach-Gounod) Anker E9956 07401

Il Re Pastore (Mozart) L’amerò, sarò costante Anker E9956 07405

Der Vogel im Walde (Taubert) Parlophon P9099 2-20203


AUSTRIAN SOPRANO HEDWIG FRANCILLO-KAUFMANN (1878-1948) CDR

Sep 29, 2026

AUSTRIAN SOPRANO ELISE ELIZZA (1870-1926) CDR

 


ELISE ELIZZA (06-01-1870 VIENNA, AUSTRIA – 03-06-1926 VIENNA, AUSTRIA)

 

 

 

 

She was born into a Jewish family, and her real name was Elisabeth Letztergroschen. She studied singing under Adolf Limley in Vienna, who later became her husband. She initially performed in operetta before joining the opera company in Olomouc in 1894. The following year, she made her debut as Inès in L’Africaine at the Vienna Staatsoper, where she remained a valued and versatile member until 1919.

In 1904, she made guest appearances at the German Theatre in Prague and in Brünn in 1912. In addition to her stage work, she was a respected concert singer, and in 1901, she appeared in the premiere of Gustav Mahler’s Das klagende Lied. Her repertoire ranged from the Queen of Night to Brünnhilde, though she was probably happiest in the lyric-coloratura roles, such as Violetta and Marguerite de Valois in Les Huguenots.

She later taught in Vienna, where her pupils included Lotte Lehmann. A prolific early recording artist, she is noted for her voice of exceptional beauty, accomplished technique, and sensitive style.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1894-1919 Vienna Staatsoper

1904 Prague German Theatre

1912 Brünn Opera House


TRACKLIST



Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach) Barcarole (w. Kittel) 944318 13006L Gramophone, Wien 1911-10-10

Manon (Massenet) Wenn du willst, dass ich leb’ (w. Slezak) 2-44077 685r G&T, Wien 1905-11

Aida (Verdi) Doch grausam zeigt sich der Waffen Los (w. Kittel) 944319 13007L Gramophone, Wien 1911-10-10

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Der Tod, sei mir willkommen 2-43261 14694u Gramophone, Wien 1909-05

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Durchstrahlt von tausend Lampen (w. Forst, Weidemann, Stehmann & Mayr) 3-44034 14691u Gramophone, Wien 1909-05

Bohème (Puccini) Arie der Mimi, act 1 2-43325 14693u Gramophone, Wien 1909-05

Carmen (Bizet) Ich seh’ die Mutter dort (w. Slezak) 2-44043 687r G&T, Wien 1905-11

Carmen (Bizet) Lied des Toreador (w. Kittel, Demuth & chorus) 44223 898z G&T, Wien 1903-0406

Carmen (Bizet) Quintett (w. Forst, Kittel, Preuss & Stehmann) 2-44121 4286L G&T, Wien 1906-06

Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach) Barcarole (w. Kittel) 2-44087 4243L G&T, Wien 1906-06

Ernani (Verdi) Ha, grosser Kaiser (w. Preuss, Demuth & chorus) 3-44065 15215u Gramophone, Wien 1909-09-29

Götterdämmerung (Wagner) Rheintöchter-Terzett (w. Kittel & Hilgermann) 2-44414 13309u Gramophone, Wien 1908-0506

Hans Heiling (Marschner) Öffne dein Ohr (w. chorus) 43980 11755u G&T, Wien 1907-1112

Hänsel und Gretel (Humperdinck) Abends will ich schlafen geh’n (w Kittel) 2-44049 653r G&T, Wien 1905-11

Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Arie der Königin 43500 916z G&T, Wien 1903-0406

Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Duett (w. Slezak) 044009 37Hp G&T, Wien 1903-0406

Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Pagenarie 043001 36Hp G&T, Wien 1903-0406

Lohengrin (Wagner) Euch Lüften 2-43260 14692u Gramophone, Wien 1909-05

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) Sextett (w. Lukschic, Schmedes, Preuss, Weidemann, Mayr & chorus) 44432 2444h G&T, Wien 1904-10

Lustigen Weiber von Windsor (Nicolai) Geschwind zu meiner Nachbarin (w. Kittel) 2-44167 9957u G&T, Wien 1906-1112



AUSTRIAN SOPRANO ELISE ELIZZA (1870-1926) CDR

DANISH CONTRALTO ELSE BREMS (1908-1995) CDR




ELSE BREMS (DANMARK, COPENHAGEN 8 JULY 1908 – DANMARK, COPENHAGEN 4 OCTOBER 1995)




 
 
 
 
She first studied singing under her father, concert tenor Anders Brems (1877–1974). She then trained with renowned pedagogues Cunelli in Paris, Mme Charles Cahier in Berlin, and Rosati in New York. In 1928, she made her concert debut in Copenhagen.
Her operatic debut came in 1930 as Carmen at the Royal Opera of Copenhagen, where she enjoyed a long and successful career. She also had notable guest appearances at the National Operas of Prague and Budapest, the Vienna State Opera during the 1937–1938 season, the Warsaw Opera, and in 1948, at Covent Garden in London, where she again debuted as Carmen.
During the 1936–1937 season, she undertook an extensive concert tour of the USA. In 1942, she performed in Stockholm, and in 1948, she appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She took part in the memorable European premiere of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess at the Copenhagen Opera in 1943, an event seen as a statement against the German occupation.
Her concert work, particularly her interpretations of J.S. Bach’s compositions, was also highly successful. In 1946, she was appointed Royal Court Singer. From 1940 to 1949, she was married to tenor Stefan Islandi (1907–1994).

 
 
TRACKLIST
 


 
1. Carmen (Bizet) Habanera X25030 2275C Tono, Kobenhavn 1944-02-22
2. Her vil ties, her vil bies (Berggreen) DA5285 0CS3412-2A,2B HMV, Kobenhavn 1952-12-27
3. Carmen (Bizet) Seguidilla (w. Svendsen) X25030 2276A Tono, Kobenhavn 1944-02-22
4. Velkommen igen, Guds engle smaa (Berggreen) X8229 0CS3554-1A,1B HMV, Kobenhavn 1954-10-15
5. Firenze (P. E. Lange-Muller Einar Christiansen) Tono K 8035 2527B
6. Samson og Dalila (Saint-Saens) Printemp qui commence Tono X 25050 2569A
7. I Mester Sebalds Have (Lange-Muller Sophus Bauditz) Gjenboens forste Vise HMV DA 5237 0CS 1822-1
8. Himlen ulmer svagt i flammerodt (Lange-Muller Thor Lange) HMV DA 5237
9. Samson og Dalila (Saint-Saens) Mon c?ur s’ouvre a ta voix Tono X 25050 2570C
10. La flute enchante L’indifferent af Sheherazade sangcyclus (Ravel) Radioudsendelse
11. Ved Solnedgang (P.E. Lange-Muller C.F. Molbech) Tono K 8035 2526B
12. Den unge l?rkes forarssang (P. HeiseSt. St. Blicher) Koncertoptagelse
13. Sulamit lille Trad. mel. fra Jylland Brorson Radioudsendelse
14. Thorstens Sang fra En nat mellem fjeldene (P. Heise J.C. Hostrup) Koncertoptagelse
15. Til Danmark fra Marie Grubbe (Ebbe Hamerik Fr. Nygaard) Radioudsendelse
16. Ariettes Oubliee (Debussy) Radioudsendelse
17. J’ai perdu mon Euridice fra Orphee et Eurydice (Gluck) Radioudsendelse
18. Hvad est du dog skon Trad. mel. fra Harboore Brorson Radioudsendelse
19. Jeg Mindes Vel Et Sted Lauras Sang fra romanen Robert Fulton (P. Heise Carsten Hauch) Koncertoptagelse
20. Impious wretch fra Saul (G.F. Handel Charles Jennens) Radioudsendelse

DANISH CONTRALTO ELSE BREMS (1908-1995) CDR

Aug 19, 2026

HUNGARIAN TENOR BÉLA KÖRNYEI (1873-1925) CDR

 


BÉLA KÖRNYEI (KRUMAU, 18 MAY, 1873 – BUDAPEST, 28 APRIL, 1925)

 

 

 

 

He was born on May 18, 1873, in Krumau, the son of Béla Környei and Mária Amália Dudák. He studied at Elek Solymosi’s acting school.

In 1896, he joined the People’s Theater choir as a bass. By 1898, he was performing in operetta at the Hungarian Theater, and from 1899, he sang baritone roles in Debrecen. From 1901, he was a member of the Buda-Temesvár company, performing at the Buda Theater, and from 1905 at the Király Theater.

In 1908, he signed a contract with the Népszínház–Vígopera, where he sang tenor roles. From 1908 to 1915, he was a member of the National Opera in Budapest. He then joined the Vienna Opera for three years, making his debut there on October 16, 1916, in the premiere of the new production of Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos as Bacchus.

He returned to the National Opera in Budapest, where he remained until his death.

From his first marriage to Paula Galyassy, he had a daughter, Paula Környey (1899–1996), an actress, and a son, Béla Környey (1901–?), a pianist. On October 15, 1914, he married opera singer Elza Szamosi (Erzsébet Szamek) in Budapest, but they divorced in 1921. On October 30, 1921, he married singer Mária Sándor in Terézváros, Budapest.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1896-1899 Debrecen Opera House

1900-1903 Temesvar Opera House

1907 Budapest People’s Opera

1908 Budapest National Opera

1915-1918 Vienna Court Opera

1919 Budapest National Opera

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Vesti la giubba 58031 Beka

Tosca (Puccini): E lucevan le stelle 58693 Beka

Carmen (Bizet): Il fior 58694 Beka

Trovatore (Verdi): Di quella pira 58695 Beka

Fanciulla del West (Puccini): Ch’ella mi creda 58696 Beka

Aida (Verdi): Nel fiera anelito 58981 Beka

Hegyek alján (d’Albert): Jöjj velem Első Magyar Hanglemez Gyár 1404

Aida (Verdi): Misero appien mi festi 58982 Beka

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Un tal gioco 58983 Beka

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Compar Alfio 58984 Beka

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Addio alla madre 58985 Beka

Lohengrin (Wagner): Merce, merce D1394 Diadal

Lohengrin (Wagner): S’ei torna alfin D1394 Diadal

Walkure (Wagner): Cede il verno 4-102705 Gramophone

Carmen (Bizet): Il fior 1405 Premier

Ulisses Belepöje Favorite 1-25680

Mit er nekem a markisag Favorite 25679

Janos vitez Egy rozsa szál Columbia 12808 D3229

Cigánybaro Belepö G&T 4-102693

Varazskeringo Halkan szall G&T 4-102666


HUNGARIAN TENOR BÉLA KÖRNYEI (1873-1925) CDR