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

PRICE: 19.99$ SHIPPING COST: 15$

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

PRICE: 19.99$ SHIPPING COST: 15$

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

PRICE: 19.99$ SHIPPING COST: 15$

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

PRICE: 19.99$ SHIPPING COST: 15$

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

PRICE: 19.99$ SHIPPING COST: 15$

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

PRICE: 19.99$ SHIPPING COST: 15$

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

PRICE: 19.99$ SHIPPING COST: 15$

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

PRICE: 19.99$ SHIPPING COST: 15$