Great Singers Sing Wagner

When I was looking at the reviews on Amazon.com, a reviewer said he would have loved a booklet so he knew who these Wagner singers were, for there is no information provided in this set. I shall now write a review come booklet which is very long, for I go into some detail about those singers and CDs you can buy. What helps is that I have quite a large CD collection of singers of the past. I suggest you attempt to get hold of the Grand Tradition. 70 years of singing on record by J.B Steane, published 1974. For to know about the past helps us understand the present. In this box set are recordings from 1906 onwards, but mainly 1920's and 1930's, also one from 1945, 1948 & 1950.The box is a very light off brown. The lid opens backwards, so you can place CD sleeves inside. There is a big CD number on the front of the sleeve with singers below. The sleeves picture is exactly like the front of the box. On the back are the singers, track numbers and arias, with date when they were recorded, but no orchestra and who was conducting. The CDs are an off white, with the singers in black on the disc, also CD number, plus compact disc digital audio. The sound is Mono and has been remastered, so you have recordings pre and post electrical. For example, Johanna Gadski 1907-1909 recordings pushes her voice forward, so you can hear her voice clearly. There is hiss and you can hear the orchestra in the background. But no bumps and crackle. Destinn's recordings made in 1906 are very clear, the best I have heard.FRIDA LIEDER: (1888-1975) Soprano. PARSIFAL: Ich Sah das Kind. Recorded 1931. GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Starke Scheite Schichet mir dort. Recorded in 1928.John Ardoin said when it came to Frida Leider, Lauritz Melchior minced no words; "She was the greatest Isolde of them all", he told me at at party after his last concert in 1964. They were a stunning team singing at the Met, Covent Garden and Bayreuth between the two world Wars with their Kundry and Parsifal, Tristan and Brunnhilde and Siegfried. She was an only child born in Berlin and reigned at the Staatsoper for a quarter of a century. When the Nazi's came to power because she was married to a Jewish musician, the leader of the Berlin Staatsoper Orchestra, she was forced to leave Germany in 1938. She had worked as a bank clerk to support her singing lessons, and her influences were an Italian actress Eleanora Duse and others in Musicals, drama and opera in Berlin. She made her debut in 1915 at the age of 27 as Venus in Tannhauser. "I was a dramatic actress right from the beginning she said". Steane States "it is Leider's tone that I personally want to hear, rather then any of the other great singers in this music." On CD Decca- The singers Frida Leider. MARGARETE BAUMER: (1898-1969) Soprano. GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Helle Wehr. Recorded 1932. With Walter Kirchoff/ Eduard Gobel. SIEGFRIED: Heil der Sonne!Recorded 1939. Reiner Minten is the tenor.Baumer was born in Dusseldorf and after studying there and Cologne, she made her first operatic appearence at the age of 29. Walter invited her to the Berlin Stadische opera where she shared the dramatic soprano roles with Wildbrunn-see below. Baumer sung all over the USA. She was Leipzig's leading dramatic soprano for 20 years until 1953.JOHANNA GADSKI: (1872-1932) Soprano. GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Recorded in 1909. Fliegt heim, ihr Raben. DER FIEGENDE HOLLANDER: Versank ich jetzt in wunderbaren Traumen. Recorded in 1908. Wohl kenn ich. Recorded in 1909. TRISTAN UND ISOLDE: Mild und Leise. Recorded in 1907.She held her own in illustrious international casts from 1900 to 1917 at the Met where she was highly popular. When America went to the First War in 1917, there was mass hysteria about her being German and her husband being a spy. So they both left America. She did not return until 1929 with a S Hurok company. She died in a car accident. Gadski had a highly individual timbre, capable of heroic brilliance and an exquisite fragility. She remains one of the best Brunnhildes on Pre-electrical records, for she was one of the most sensitive and musical singers of her day.HELEN TRAUBEL: (1899-1972) Soprano. LOHENGRIN: Das suss Lied verhallt. Recorded 1945. TRISTAN UND ISOLDE: Erfuhrest du meine Schmach. Recorded 1945.The finest American Soprano of her Generation. She was 6 ft and had a huge voice with a warm timbre and took over when Flagstad left the Met in 1941, to return to her husband in Nazi occupied Norway. She became the Wagner soprano, Isolde and Brunnhilde at the Met. But her and Melchior got bored and started playing jokes on each other. Bing the director of the Met said. "You have never seen the troubles I have had with her".GERMAINE LUBIN:(1890-1979) Soprano. SIEGFRIED: Ewig war ich. Recorded 1929. GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort. Recorded 1929.Lubin studied with Felia Litvinne who was born in St Peterburg 1860 died 1936, who had a mastery of Wagnerian declamation. She had studied with Pauline Viardot and Maurel in Paris. Also, Lubin studied with Lilli Lehmann, no relative of Lotte. Lilli Lehmann sung in the Premiere of Wagners Ring cycle at Bayreuth in 1876. Lubin after forced retirement taught Crespin. Lubin was the principal dramatic soprano in Paris for 25 years. She was the sort of Brunnhilde who was a good Tosca, having a full tone and great nobility of presence. Christiansen in his book 'Prima Donna' wrote that she was a gleaming heroic soprano who has been unfairly overshadowed by her contemporaries Flagstad and Lieder. Also, her reputation was affected by her sad collaboration with the Nazi's. She sung in Berlin and Bayreuth. She was imprisoned during the war for collaboration with the Nazi's and her son committed suicide.ROSETTE ANDAY: (1903-1977) Contralto. GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Seit er von Dir geschieden. Recorded 1928. TRISTAN UND ISOLDE: Einsam wachend. Recorded 1926. The Gotterdammerung excerpt has ringing G flats and is altogether vocalized with a fitting urgency. Born in Budapest, Hungary.FLORENCE AUSTRAL: (1894-1968) soprano. DIE WALKURE: Siegmund, sieh auf mich! With Walter Widdop. London Symphony Orchestra Cond Albert Coates. Recorded 1926?.(1927). The Ring des Nibelungen- Historical recordings Vol 1 1926-1932. Vol 2 1926-52. Gala. Called by Culshaw the Old Testament of Ring cycles. The London Symphony Orchestra Cond Coates and Heger, plus the Berlin Staatsoper cond Blech. Contains Austral, Leider, Melchior, Schorr and another Australian Marjorie Lawrence.Born in Australia, Florence Wilson trained at the Melbourne Conservatory and furthered her studies in Italian roles in New York. She was offered a contract with the Met, partly as the result of her successes in Boston and Chicago, but she turned it down intending to return to Australia. But breaking her journey in London, she took part in a concert at the Royal Albert Hall early in 1921, the year in which she adopted the name of Austral in honour of her homeland. Melba did it. Her real name was Nellie Mitchell, and in honour of her city Melbourne, she called herself Melba.Florence successfully auditioned for Convent Garden, and at a moments notice, with no stage or orchestral rehearsal she took over the part of Brunnhilde. She alternated many Wagner performances with Lieder, who recieved more acclaim because of her more convincing stage presence. She made many recordings for HMV. Austral married an Australian and eventually was engaged by the Berlin State opera but only weeks later, during a performance of Die Walkure she experienced the first symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis that gradually ended her career. Nellie Melba called her "One of the wonder voices of the world" The Critic Nevlle Cardus in 1928 wrote "Even after hearing the marvellous singing of Leider, Austral's triumphant voice remains in the mind"WIDDOP )1892-1949) was regarded as the finest British dramatic tenor from that era preserved on disc. A London Critic wrote of him. "There are two hundred opera houses to whom Widdop would be a godsend. After two years on the German stage he would be one of the four leading heroic tenors in Europe, instead of going around Britain singing in the Messiah". Albert COATES. whose tempi were extremely quick like Wagner wanted, was born in St Petersburg to an English father and Russian mother. He went to England for his general education. Then to Leipzig to study the Cello and piano where he was influenced by Nikisch, who mentored fellow Hungarian Reiner and Brit, Boult, and was also a role model to Furtwangler. Coates was principal conductor of the Mariinsky Theatre for five years. In 1919 he specialised in Wagner at Covent Garden and was principal conductor of the London symphony Orchestra. He is largely forgotten today and I think it is a shame. Claremont has published a CD.Lauritz Melchior conducted by Albert Coates in excerpts from Tannhauser, Siedfried and Gotterdammerung. Coates requires a box set.LOTTE LEHMANN: (1888-1976) Soprano. Die Meistersingers von Nurnberg. Gut'n Abend Meister. With Michael Bohnen. LOHENGRIN: Du Armste kannst wohl nie ermessen. TANNHAUSER: Allmacht'ge jungfrau. Recorded 1916. Die Walkure Act 1. Finale. Dich slige Frau...Winterstrume..Du bist der Lenz. With Lauritz Melchior. Recorded 1934? (1935) At age 28 Lehmann's voice already has its own individual character and the performance has all the maturity of her style of ten or twenty years later. The Walkure Act 1 has been taken from the great EMI 1935 recording, with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Walter. The glory of this set is Lehmann's Sieglinde, which is no less enthralling than those who heard her in person would have us believe. The declamation of the text instilled with vitality and urgency, the tone full of rapture.Lehmann was taught by Mathilde Mallinger, the first Eva in Die Meistersinger. Debut 1910. She was much admired by Richard Struass, for she sung in the revised Premiere of Ariadne auf Naxos as the Composer. Created the Dyer's wife, Frau ohne Schatten, also Christine based on Pauline, Strauss's wife in Intermezzo. She said she could forget her everyday self entirely, losing herself in the role she sung. Lotte Lehmann A 125th Birthday Tribute 4 CDs. 1927-1949 recordings. Also, EMI Der Rosenkavlier Vienna Philharmoic Cond Heger. Lehmann, Marschallin, Olszewska. Mayr, Schumann.HELENE WILDBRUNN: (1882-1972) Soprano. SIEGFRIED: Ewig war ich, ewig bin ich. Recorded 1920. GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Starke Scheite Schichet mir dort. Recorded 1924.She started her career as a Contralto. Her voice has a remarkably rich, creamy sound. According to Alan Blyth "the underated Wildbrunn, is Leider's equal on recorded evidence, for she sings with unmatched opulence, long-breathed phrasing, yet delicacy- listen to the way she just touches the A flat in Herlicher. Lieder's version not so clearly vocalized, has more subtlety of expression, particularly evident in her use of rubato. I would not be without either version of Ewig war ich on a desert island.Wildbrunn studied with Rosa Paumgartner who had taught Anna Von Mildenburg who was the lady friend of Mahler before Alma. Wildbrunn made her debut in 1907 at the Dortmund opera house as a Contralto and Mezzo soprano. She performed at the Suttgart Court Opera from 1914-1918, where she developed into a dramatic soprano, performing Brunnhilde and Isolde is regarded as her greatest role. Berlin State Opera from 1919-1925. The Stadische oper Berlin 1925-32, also Vienna state opera 1919-1932. Thereafter she only appeared as an Concert singing until 1950.MARIA CALLAS: (1923-1977) TRISTAN UND ISOLDE: Mild und leise. (sung in Italian).Recorded in 1949. PARSIFAL: Ich sah das kind. (sung in Italian).(Recorded in 1950.) Parsifal with Panerai, Christoff, Orchestra Sinfonica e Coro della RAI cond Vittorio Gui. I own the Red Membran red box with EMI studio recordings and LIVE opera's in which this Wagner opera is found with Callas as Kundry. (see my review). Not to be confused with the Warner Red Remastered Callas box.People tend to forget that Callas was only 42 when she sung in her last opera Tosca on stage. Her voice had problems later on, because Serafin would encourage her after she had sung Brunnhilde, to sing within three days the main role in I puritani, which is a nonsense. There is no doubt that Callas sings Mild und leise in a way that makes it her own.VICTORIA DE LOS ANGELES:(1923-2005) soprano. TANNHAUSER: Dich, teure Halle. Recorded 1950. Have we heard it sung as beautifully as this. LOHENGRIN: Einsam in Trben Tagen. Recorded 1950.A Spanish singer born in Barcelona. She specialized in Manon, Margarethe (Faust) Mimi (La Boheme), Carmen, Charlotte, Madame Butterfly and her home grown Spanish songs. I own and have reviewed the Membran 10 CD box Victoria de los Angeles/ the Discreet Triumph.LAURITZ MELCHIOR: (1890-1973) Tenor. RIENZI: Allmacht'ger Vater, blick herab. Recorded 1923. LOHERGRIN: Mein leiber Schwan. Recorded 1938. In fernem Land. Recorded 1939. TANNHAUSER: inbrunst im Herzen. Recorded in 1924. Dir tone lob. Recorded in 1929. DIE MEISTERSINGERS VON NURNBERG: Am stillen Herd. Recorded 1939. Morgenlich leuchtend im rosigen Schein. recorded 1939.Born in Denmark. He became a baritone, and made his debut in 1913 as Silvio in Pagliacci in his home town of Copenhagen. Eventually a colleague persuaded him to retrain as a tenor. within ten years of making his second debut-as Tannhauser with the Royal Danish Opera in 1918- he had become the pre-eminent Wagner tenor of his generation. When Bayreuth reopened in 1923 he sung in Siegfried and Parsifal. Two years later he made his Met debut and sung there from 1926-1950. He offically retired in 1964. He was an artist of unusual creative sensibility.EMANUEL LIST: (1890-1967) Bass. LOHENGRIN: Mein Herr und Gott. Recoded 1927. Habt Dank, ihr lieben von Brabant.Recorded 1927. GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Hier sitz ich zur Wacht. Recorded 1928. Hoiho! Hoihohoho. Recorded 1928.The conductor called him " the darkest of all basses". Although Jewish, in Berlin after 1933 he was allowed to stay because the new regime was short of basses. This was the most robust and healthy voice of his time. RUDOLF BOCKELMANN (1892-1958) Baritone. DIE MEISTERSINGERS VON NURNBERG: Jerum. Jerum! Verachet mir die Meister nicht. Recordings 1930. TRISTAN UND ISOLDE: Dart ich die Antwort sagen? with Gunner Graadrud. recorded 1928. DAS RHINEGOLD: Abendlich strahlt der Sonne Auge. Recorded 1933.The Nazi's showed honours on Bockelmann, but virtually confined him to the Third Reich. He found himself restricted to one record label, even though he was Bayreuth's leading Wotan from 1928 to the end of the war.ALEXANDER KIPNIS: (1891-1978) Bass. DIE MEISTERSINGERS VON NURNBERG: Das schone Fest. Recorded 1926. Verachet mir die Meister nicht. Recorded 1926. PARSIVAL: So ward es uns verhiesen. Recorded 1927. DIE WALKURE: Leb wohl, du kuhnes, herrliches kind. Recorded 1926.Kipnis seemed incapable of singing badly. His Das Schone Fest is justly famous. Kipnis is an example of a Bass Wotan and he had a superb tone. His opulent voice encompasses the notes magnificently and without the least sign of strain. He was a Ukrainian skilled in choral singing. He had received a classic German musical education, first in Berlin, then in Hamburg. There he made his debut in 1915. In Berlin and Bayreuth he was to sing the great Wagnerian bass parts with which he will always be associated with.HANS HOTTER:(1909) Bass- Baritone. DER FLIGENDE HOLLANDER: Die Frist ist um. Recorded 1943. MEISTERSINGERS: Was duftet doch der Flieder. Recorded 1942. DIE WALKURE: Leb wohl, du kuhnes, herrliches kind. recorded 1942.Retired 1972. Made his debut in 1929. He was the dominating Wagner Helden bariton of his day, celebrated as Amfortas, Kurwenal, Sachs and above all Wotan. In the box set Wagner at the Met, Die Fliegende Hollande was recorded in 1950 live, with Hotter, Varnay, Svanholm. Cond Fritz Reiner. An eloquent testament to Hotter's greatness. Musical America hailed him as a " great artist, gifted with an extraordinary powerful voice and dramatic talent of the highest order." The 1953 Wagner Ring cycle conducted by Clemens Krauss with Hotter-Wotan and Varnay- Brunnhilde, and the 1955 Ring Cycle conducted by Keilberth with Hotter and Varnay are considered the best. Although the 2nd 1955 Keilberth Ring cycle with Modl (Brunnhilde) and Hotter is the one I like best of all.CARL MARTIN OEHMANN: ( 1887-1967) Tenor. LOHENGRIN: IN fernam Land. Recorded 1927. Mein Leiber Schwan. Recorded 1927. TANNHAUSER: inbrunst im Herzen. Recorded 1927.The Swedish Wagnerian sings the excerpts from Lohengrin most sensitively. He taught Nicolai Gedda who is considered one of the most musical of this role.FRIEDRICH SCHORR (1889-1953) Bass-Baritone. Die Fliegende Hollander. Wie? Hort ich recht? with Otto Helgers. Recorded 1922. Wie aus der Ferne. Recorded in 1921. Versank ich jetzt. With Melanie Kurt. Recorded in 1922. TANNHAUSER: Wie Todesahnung Damm'rung. Recorded 1921. DIE MEISTERSINGERS: Jerum! Jerum! Recorded 1922. Wahn! Wahn! Recorded 1921.Schorr was Hungarian. The dominating Wotan and Sachs of his generation. He could sing with warm, lyrical ease, yet also with arresting dramatic force, with attention to words. He was engaged by the Met in 1924 and sung there for nearly 20 years. He bade farewell in 1943 singing in Siegfried. He was bold enough to tackle Wotan when he was only 22 years of age. His perfect control of pianissimo and of declamatory style made so lengthy a career possible.HANS NISSEN: (1893-1980) Baritone. DIE FLIEGENDE HOLLANDER: Die Frist ist um.Recorded in 1928. Die MEISTERSINGERS:Was duffet doch der Flieder. Recorded 1929. Verachet mir die Meister nicht. Recorded 1929. PARSIFAL: Wehe! Wehe mir der Qual. Recorded 1928.He had a lovely rounded tone. Rich, commanding warm singing. His career was affected by the Second World War.JOSEPH SCHWARZ: (1880-1926) Baritone. Tannhauser Blick ich umher. Recorded in 1919. Wie Todesahnung Damm'rung. Recorded 1919.Schwarz could rival Italians in the art of Belcanto singing. This Berlin baritone was scandalously underrated according to Alan Blyth.MAX LORENZ: (1901-1975) Tenor. TRISTAN UND ISOLDE: Die alte Weise, was weckt sie mich. With Jaro Prohaska) Recording 1942. Das Schiff. With Jaro Prohaska und Paula Buchner. DIE MEISTERSINGERS: Fanget an! Recording 1930. Morgenlich leuchtend. Recording 1927.Debut Dresden 1927. An expressive singer with exceptional declamation, famous for his Wagner roles, especially Siegfried and Walther. A Member of Berlin State Opera 1933-1937 and Vienna State opera from 1937. Bayreuth 1933-1939, 1952. A true Heldentenor with phenomenal durability. He sung under Winifried Wagner's direction of Bayreuth (She was the wife of Siegfried Wagner, son of Richard) to the era of Wieland Wagner.IVAR ANDRESEN: (1896-1940) Bass. TANNHAUSER: Gar viel und schon. Recorded 1928. Ein furchtbares Verbrechen. Recorded in 1929. DIE MEISTERSINER: Das schone Fest. Recorded in 1929. PARSIFAL: Titurel, der fromme held. Recorded 1927. Des Sunders Reuetranen Recorded in 1927.A real black Bass. He is on the Tristan und Isolde recorded in 1928. Andresen is King Mark. Nanny Larsen- Todsen is Isolde. In the excerpts from the opera in Wagner's Vision 50 CD box set. Published by Membran. He died in Stockholm in 1940 in degrading Poverty. He was 44 years old.HERMANN JADLOWKER: (1877-1953). Tenor. RIENZI: Allmacht'ger Vater, blick herab. LOHENGRIN: Mein lieber Schwan Recorded 1914.He was born in Riga. A Latvian Tenor who studied in Vienna. Debut Cologne 1899. Possessed a large, mellow voice and superb technique. Died Tel Aviv.LUDWIG WEBER (1899-1974) Bass. TRISTAN UND ISOLDE: Tatest du's wirklich. Recording 1951. Tot denn alles. With Elizabeth Schwarzkopf. That must be a first having Schwarzkopf singing in this opera. PARSIFAL: Titurel, der fromme Held. Recording 1951. O Gnade! Hochstes Heil. Recorded 1951. Wie dunkt mich. With Torsten Ralf. Recorded 1951. Ralf( 1901-1954) was a Scandinavian. His Walther in London made him a candidate to succeed Lorenz. But the Second World War had put a stop to his career. He disappeared from view. Weber was a tireless and outstanding Wagner singer, with a rich, voluminous tone, impressive as King Mark, Fasolt, Hunding, Hagen and Gurnemanz. Debut Vienna 1920. Cologne 1930-33. Munich 1933-45. Vienna State Opera 1945-1960. Bayreuth 1951-1958. Parsival 1951 Live. with London, van Mill, Ludwig Weber- Gurnemanz, Windgassen, Uhde, Modl. Orchester der Bayreuth Festspiele Cond Hans Knappertsbusch.FRANZ VOLKER: (1899-1965) Tenor. RIENZI: Erstehe, Roma, neu. Recording 1933. LOHENGRIN: Atmest du nicht mit mir. Recording 1928. Hochstes Vertrau'n. Recording 1927. In fernem Land. Recording 1927. Debut in Frankfurt 1926. In the 1936 Lohengrin at Bayreuth was remarkable for the singing of Volker, and his many solo records show him phrasing carefully and preserving a fine lyrical style and a steady voice.LUDWIG HOFFMANN: (1895-1963) Bass. LOHENGRIN: Mein Herr and Gott. Recording 1929. DIE MEISTERSINGER: Was duffet doch der flieder. Recording 1932. Verachtet mir die Meister nicht. Recording 1932.A superb bass. Best known in Wagner. Hoffmann had presence and authority. He appeared with particular success at Salzburg and became attached to the Vienna State opera. NAXOS: Wagner the complete Karl Muck Parsifal recordings (1927-8). In Act 3 Ludwig Hofmann's Gurnemanz is nobility personified. Also Siegfried Wagner conducts the Good Friday Spell 1927.KIRSTEN FLAGSTAD: (1895-1962) Soprano. TRISTAN UND ISOLDE. O sink hernieder. With Lauritz Melchior. Recording 1939. WESENDONCK LIEDER: Dern Engel. Stehe still. In Treibhaus. Schmerzen. Traume.Recording 1948.Born Oslo, Norway. Her father was a conductor, her mother a coach and pianist (her first teacher).Debut at the national Theater 1913. For the next 18 years, she sung opera, operetta and musical comedy in Scandinavia. Her first Isolde (Oslo 1932) led to Bayreuth in small parts 1933, then as Sieglinde and Gutrane (1934) and to a Met audition to succeed Frieda Lieder. Her unheralded Met debut as Sieglinde, broadcast nationwide Feb 1935 caused a sensation; she sung Isolde there four days later, and her first- ever Brunnhildes Walkure and Gotterdammerung later that month, revealing herself as the pre-eminent Wagnerian soprano of her generation.Flagstad could sing Wagner with calm, literal accuracy. She was an absolutely faithful singer of music that had previously defeated that possibility. She was fortunate in that she had perfect pitch. Also her voice was the greatest in volume, range, security, beauty of tone, everything a voice can have, and all of one piece, never a break in it, all rolling out with no evidence of effort or strain even in the most difficult of passages. But Christiansen states "the only defect in her performance was that they did not express what Wagner wrote, which bespeaks rage and obsession" She knitted before a performance, calm and majestic, none of this Maria Callas, "they(audience) are out to get me, they hate me, i'll show them." In 1941 Flagstad returned to Norway to be with her businessman husband, although she refused to sing there. Her husbands brief collaboration with the Nazi's caused ill feeling towards her in the USA, athough she did return to the Met in 1950-51.Her greatest recording is considered to be the EMI 1953 Furtwangler Tristan und Isolde with Flagstad, Suthaus with Fischer-Dieskau. Another is the broadcast recording 1938, Flagstad, Melchior, Branzell, List, Huehn. Cond Bodanzky- who was a protege of Mahler. Included in the box set, Wagner at the Met. I own and like the performances, but for me, the best is the 1952 Live Bayreuth Von Karajan Tristan, with Modl and Vinay. She is passionate to such a degree, that with relationships with men she said, "I left my passion on the stage". The only complete Wagner Ring cycle with Flagstad singing Brunnhilde, is that with the La Scala Orchestra, conducted by Furtwangler 1950. Also includes Franz, Weber. Max Lorenz, Treptow, Hongen, Konetzni. Published Gebhardt, ADD 24 bit remastering. Can be obtained cheaply from Amazon.MARIA JERITZA: (1891-1982) Soprano. LOHENGRIN: Euch Luften, die mein Klagen. Recording 1922. DIE WALKURE: Du bist der Lenz. Recording 1922. You gather in this recording why she was a star.Born Brunn (now Brno), Moravia.Studied in Brunn, Prague, then later with Sembrich in New York. Debut 1910. Vienna Staats oper 1912-35, New York, Met, 1921-32. She Created in 1920 Marietta in Korngold Die Tote Stadt, title role in both versions of Richard Strauss's Adriane auf Naxos, and Empress die Frau ohne Schatten, also the inspiration for the Egyptian Helena. From 1921 for the next 12 years she divided her time between Vienna and the Met. Her full voice, attractiveness, and flair for acting made her a popular performer. When Farrar retired, Jeritza became the Mets leading Prima Donna and virtually Vienna's Staatsoper only one. Jeritza and Lehmann were rivals over Richard Strauss and the parts he offered them. Lehmann thought she had her cast offs. They were highly competitive. They would not walk in the same door of the opera house together. KARIN BRANZELL: (1891-1974) Mezzo soprano. GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Seit er vor dir geschieden. Recorded 1922. LOHENGRIN: Ortrud! Wo bist du? With Emmy Betterdorf. Recording 1928. According to Osbourne this is the best of the pre war recordings.Born in Stockholm. Debut in that city 1912 and after six years in that city, she joined the Berlin State opera 1918-23. Met debut as Fricka, in Die Walkure in 1924. So she sung at the Met for almost 22 seasons until 1942 and 1950-51 . After retirement she taught at Julliard, New York. She was more of a contralto and dominated the Wagnerian repertory until Thorborg took over. If you own the Wagner at the Met, you can compare Branzell with Thorborg. Die Walkure Live performance 1940, Fricka, Branzell. With Melchior, Majorie Lawrence, Flagstad. Cond Leinsdorf. Lohengrin Live performance recorded 1943. Ortrud Kirsten Thorborg. Astrid Varnay, Melchior, Sved. Cond Leinsdorf. Betterdorf (1895-1963) Debut 1914 at Franfurt. She was called the German Claudia Muzio by Italians.EMMY DESTINN: (1878-1930) Soprano. LOHENGRIN: Euch Luften, die mein Klagen. Einsam in truben Tagen. Both recordings 1906. The voice is pushed forward and the orchestra is in the background, so you can hear here very clearly. Einsam in truben Tagen is the best of all her recordings. The girlish, fresh tone having a bright clarity.She was born Ema Kittl in 1878: her family owned mines and breweries. She studied under Marie Loewe-Destinn and took her name in gratitude. During the early part of the century she was the most honoured of all lyric sopranos in Germany. Her voice is dark, ardent and full of meaning, a strong emotional voice. It was this intensity and power in her voice which made her an outstanding interpreter of Spinto roles. Yet by 1921 when she was 43 her career was over. The First World war had interfered which brought her problems. She refused to sing for the Austrian Red Cross during the war, for she was a Czech nationalist, so they imprisoned her and her male friend, a baritone Dinh Gilly. Afterwards he left her. She made her debut at only 19. She returned after the war in magnificent voice for the first Covent Garden post war season, but somehow her heart was not in it. I own Emmy Destinn Her Berliner's Records and G & T recordings 1901-1908. Published by Vocal Archives, using Cedar and Weiss processes. According to Greenfield, the death scene in Butterfly Tu, Tu, picccolo iddio is remarkable, where she is totally passionate and committed with thrilling fullness of tone.TIANA LEMNITZ (1897-1994) Soprano. TANNHAUSER: Dich, teure Halle. Allmacht'ge Jungfrau. Recorded in 1934. WESENDONCK LIEDER: Excerpts. Stehe still. Schmerzen. Recorded in 1937.The ideal, or the next thing to it, is surely Tiana Lemnitz. Her voice in Tannhauser embodied that kind of warm, pure maidenliness that Elizabeth must represent; and she sings both solos to perfection. Lemnitz can be heard as Pamina in Der Zauberflote- Beecham's 1937/38 recording of the opera with the Berlin Philharmonic with Rosvaenge, Husch and Berger. Mono Digital remastered.MARGARETE TESCHEMACHER (1903-1959) Soprano. WESENDONCK LIEDER.Excerpts. Der Engel. Traume. Recordings 1934. LOHENGRIN: Das suse Lied verallt. With Marcel Wittrisch. Recording 1933. A most beautiful sounding tenor with Teschemacher- a dream team.Teschemacher was a lyrico -dramatic soprano. Born in Cologne and made her debut there in 1923. Dresden 1934-46 was her longest stay at a opera house. She created the role of Daphne in the opera of the same name by Richard Strauss. Notable Wagner roles in Wagner, Senta, Eva and Sieglinde.ELIZABETH RETHBERG: (1894-1975) Soprano. LOHEHGRIN: Einsam in truben Tagen,. Recording 1927. TANNHAUSER: Dich, teure Halle. recording 1927. She deserves applause, for the singing is glorious. DER FLIEGENDE HOLLANDER: Johohoe! Traft ihr das schiff. Recording 1930.The spinto soprano Rethberg was once voted the World's most perfect singer, an opinion shared by Toscanini when she was at the height of her powers. The singers singer as it were. After about 1935 it seems her singing started to decline. Debut Dresden 1915, where she remained until 1922. After Her Met Debut 1922 she remained with the company for 20 consecutive seasons. Elizabeth Rethberg; The HMV, Parlophone, and Victor recordings (1927-34). Romophone 2 CDs.MARIA MULLER: (1898-1958) DIE WALKURE: Wintersturme wichem dem wonnemund with Franz Volker recording 1936. Festspielhauses Bayreuth cond Heinz Tietjen 1936. CD released by Teldec. Bayreuth 1936 Muller Volker and Max Lorenz. Bohemian Soprano. Studied in Vienna with Schmedes. Debut Linz 1919 as Elsa. Engagements in Prague and Munich, New York Met 1925-35. Bayreuth 1930-44. Berlin Staats oper 1926, 1950-2 when she retired. Particularly distinguished as Elsa, Elisabeth, Sieglinde, Eva.REFERENCES: Blyth A.(Ed) Opera on Record. 1979. Hutchinson. Christiansen, R. Prima Donna, A history. 1995. Plimico. Hamilton,D. The Met Encyclopedia of Opera. 1987. Thames and Hudson. Steane, J.B. The Grand Tradition. Seventy years of singing on record. 1974. Duckworth. Warrack, J & West, E. The Oxford Dictionary of Opera. 1992. Oxford University Press.

The ear of faith is required when listening to these discs if you are only used to modern recordings but listeners will be well rewarded.The recordings span the acoustic and electric recording eras and whoever did these transfers has cleaned them up but without detracting from the primary purpose of displaying the voices and thus creating a record of how operatic singing techniques have changed and evolved over the first half of the twentieth century. The excerpts constitute what in my youth were known as bleeding chunks. Many are surprisingly extensive while others are truncated. For example, the recording of Brunnhildes Immolation by Frida Leider has the orchestral peroration excised but the final scene of Valkyie sung by Alexander Kipnis is given in full.There are too many singers to mention all but listeners may be surprised some bel canto Wagner singing and the importance attached to maintaining a smooth legato, but there are equally examples of declamation rather than singing. I would hesitate to name any one singer as better than another. They all reflected the age in which they lived and they all contributed to a performing tradition. I urge all students of singing, opera singers as well as opera lovers to invest the small price asked for this set. They will be well rewarded.

CD 1FRIDA LEIDER (1888-1975), Sopran/soprano01. PARSIFAL : Ich sah das Kind recorded in 1931 4:22GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG / TWILIGHT OF THE GODS :02. Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort recorded in 1928 11:38MARGARETE BÄUMER (1898-1969), Sopran/sopranoGÖTTERDÄMMERUNG / TWILIGHT OF THE GODS :03. Helle Wehr recorded in 1932 3:08(mit/with Walter Kirchhoff / Eduard Göbel)04. SIEGFRIED : Heil dir, Sonne!... Ob ich jetzt dein recorded in 1939 15:15JOHANNA GADSKI (1872-1932), Sopran/sopranoGÖTTERDÄMMERUNG / TWILIGHT OF THE GODS :05. Fliegt heim, ihr Raben recorded in 1909 2:46DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER / T HE FLYING DUTCHMAN :06. Versank ich jetzt in wunderbaren Träumen recorded in 1908 3:2507. Wohl kenn' ich recorded in 1909 3:3208. TRISTAN UND ISOLDE : Mild und leise recorded in 1907 4:09Total Time: 48:23CD 2HELEN TRAUBEL (1899-1972), Sopran/soprano01. LOHENGRIN : Das süße Lied verhallt recorded in 1945 17:17(mit/with Kurt Baum)TRISTAN UND ISOLDE :02. Erfuhrest du meine Schmach recorded in 1945 9:17GERMAINE LUBIN (1890-1979), Sopran/soprano03. SIEGFRIED : Ewig war ich recorded in 1929 4:21(frz. ges./sung in French)GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG / T WILIGHT OF THE G ODS :04. Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort recorded in 1929 15:12(frz. ges./sung in French)ROSETTE ANDAY (1903-1977), Alt/altoGÖTTERDÄMMERUNG / T WILIGHT OF THE G ODS :05. Seit er von Dir geschieden recorded in 1928 8:4706. TRISTAN UND ISOLDE : Einsam wachend recorded in 1926 3:51FLORENCE AUSTRAL (1894-1968), Sopran/sopranoDIE WALKÜRE / VALKYRIE :07. Siegmund, Sieh auf mich! recorded in 1926 12:53(mit/with Walter Widdop)Total Time: 72:10CD 3LOTTE LEHMANN (1888-1976), Sopran/sopranoDIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG /THE MASTERSINGERS OF NUREMBERG :01. Gut'n Abend Meister... doch starb eure Frau recorded in 1916 8:40(mit/with Michael Bohnen)LOHENGRIN :02. Du Ärmste kannst wohl nie ermessen recorded in 1916 4:0303. TANNHÄUSER : Allmächt'ge Jungfrau recorded in 1916 3:52D IE WALKÜRE / VALKYRIE : Finale 1. Akt/Act 104. Dich selige Frau... Winterstürme... Du bist der Lenz...Siegmund heiß ich recorded in 1934 15:07(mit/with Lauritz Melchior)HELENE WILDBRUNN (1882-1972), Sopran/soprano05. SIEGFRIED : Ewig war ich, ewig bin ich recorded in 1920 3:58GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG / TWILIGHT OF THE GODS :06. Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort recorded in 1924 8:11MARIA CALLAS (1923-1977), Sopran/soprano07. TRISTAN UND ISOLDE : Mild und leise recorded in 1949 7:31(ital. ges./sung in Italian)08. PARSIFAL : Ich sah das Kind recorded in 1950 4:45(ital. ges./sung in Italian)VICTORIA DE LOS ANGELES (*1923), Sopran/soprano09. TANNHÄUSER : Dich, teure Halle recorded in 1950 4:4210. LOHENGRIN : Einsam in trüben Tagen recorded in 1950 4:51Total Time: 65:59CD 4LAURITZ MELCHIOR (1890-1973), Tenor/tenor01. R IENZI : Allmächt'ger Vater, blick herab recorded in 1923 4:3202. LOHENGRIN : Mein lieber Schwan! recorded in 1938 4:2203. In fernem Land recorded in 1939 4:3204. TANNHÄUSER : Inbrunst im Herzen recorded in 1924 8:1405. Dir töne Lob recorded in 1929 3:28DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG /THE MASTERSINGERS OF NUREMBERG :06. Am stillen Herd recorded in 1939 3:3407. Morgenlich leuchtend im rosigen Schein recorded in 1939 3:52EMANUEL LIST (1890-1967), Bass/bass08. LOHENGRIN : Mein Herrr und Gott recorded in 1927 2:3909. Habt Dank, ihr Lieben von Brabant recorded in 1927 2:43GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG / TWILIGHT OF THE GODS :10. Hier sitz' ich zur Wacht recorded in 1928 4:1711. Hoiho! Hoihohoho! recorded in 1928 9:48RUDOLF BOCKELMANN (1892-1958), Bariton/baritoneDIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG /THE MASTERSINGERS OF NUREMBERG :12. Jerum! Jerum! recorded in 1930 4:4313. Verachtet mir die Meister nicht recorded in 1930 4:30TRISTAN UND ISOLDE :14. Darf ich die Antwort sagen recorded in 1928 1:49(mit/with Gunnar Graarud)DAS RHEINGOLD / RHINEGOLD :15. Abendlich strahlt der Sonne Auge recorded in 1933 3:32Total Time: 66:55CD 5ALEXANDER KIPNIS (1891-1978), Bass/bassDIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG /THE MASTERSINGERS OF NUREMBERG :01. Das schöne Fest, Johannistag recorded in 1926 4:4502. Verachtet mir die Meister nicht recorded in 1926 4:0303. PARSIFAL : So ward es uns verhießen recorded in 1927 10:36D IE WALKÜRE / VALKYRIE :04. Leb' wohl, du kühnes, herrliches Kind recorded in 1926 12:38HANS HOTTER (*1909), Bass-Bariton/bass-baritoneDER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER / T HE FLYING DUTCHMAN :05. Die Frist ist um recorded in 1943 8:47DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG / T HE MASTERSINGERS OF06. NUREMBERG : Was duftet doch der Flieder recorded in 1942 6:42DIE WALKÜRE / VALKYRIE :07. Leb' wohl, du kühnes, herrliches Kind recorded in 1942 8:48CARL MARTIN OEHMANN (1887-1967), Tenor/tenor08. LOHENGRIN : In fernem Land recorded in 1927 4:0509. Mein lieber Schwan recorded in 1927 4:0110. TANNHÄUSER : Inbrunst im Herzen recorded in 1927 7:23Total Time: 72:00CD 6FRIEDRICH SCHORR (1889-1953), Bass-Bariton/bass-baritoneDER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER / T HE FLYING DUTCHMAN :01. Wie Hört' ich recht recorded in 1922 7:04(mit/with Otto Helgers)02. Wie aus der Ferne recorded in 1921 3:3903. Versank' ich jetzt recorded in 1922 3:33(mit/with Melanie Kurt)04. Wirst du des Vaters Wahl nicht schelten recorded in 1922 8:03(mit/with Melanie Kurt)05. T ANNHÄUSER : Wie Todesahnung Dämm'rung recorded in 1921 4:01DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG / THE MASTERSINGERS OF06. NUREMBERG : Jerum! Jerum! recorded in 1922 3:1707. Wahn! Wahn! recorded in 1921 6:20HANS HERMANN NISSEN (1893-1980), Bariton/baritoneDER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER / THE FLYING DUTCHMAN :08. Die Frist ist um recorded in 1928 9:02DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG / THE MASTERSINGERS OF09. NUREMBERG : Was duftet doch der Flieder recorded in 1929 4:0910. Verachtet mir die Meister nicht recorded in 1929 4:0511. PARSIFAL : Wehe! Wehe mir der Qual ! recorded in 1928 7:49JOSEPH SCHWARZ (1880-1926), Bariton/baritone12. TANNHÄUSER : Blick' ich umher recorded in 1919 4:2713. Wie Todesahnung Dämm'rung recorded in 1919 4:29Total Time: 70:11CD 7MAX LORENZ (1901-1975), Tenor/tenorTRISTAN UND ISOLDE :01. Die alte Weise, was weckt sie mich recorded in 1942 12:28(mit/with Jaro Prohaska)02. Das Schiff recorded in 1942 11:14(mit/with Jaro Prohaska und/and Paula Buchner)DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG / THE MASTERSINGERS OF03. NUREMBERG : Fanget an! recorded in 1930 3:3304. Morgenlich leuchtend recorded in 1927 4:23IVAR ANDRÉSEN (1896-1940), Bass/bass05. T ANNHÄUSER : Gar viel und schön recorded in 1928 4:1506. Ein furchtbares Verbrechen recorded in 1929 3:52DIE M EISTERSINGER VON N ÜRNBERG / THE MASTERSINGERS OF07. NUREMBERG : Das schöne Fest recorded in 1929 4:3608. PARSIFAL : Titurel, der fromme Held recorded in 1927 4:1609. Des Sünders Reuetränen recorded in 1927 4:28HERMANN JADLOWKER (1877-1953), Tenor/tenor10. RIENZI : Allmächt'ger Vater, blick' herab recorded in 1914 3:3611. LOHENGRIN : Mein lieber Schwan recorded in 1914 4:28Total Time: 61:24CD 8LUDWIG WEBER (1899-1974), Bass/bassTRISTAN UND ISOLDE :01. Tatest du's wirklich recorded in 1951 12:3102. Tot denn alles recorded in 1951 4:03(mit/with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf)03. PARSIFAL : Titurel, der fromme Held recorded in 1951 9:0104. O Gnade! Höchstes Heil recorded in 1951 6:4005. Wie dünkt mich recorded in 1951 8:19(mit/with Torsten Ralf)FRANZ VÖLKER (1899-1965), Tenor/tenor06. RIENZI : Erstehe, Roma, neu recorded in 1933 3:4607. LOHENGRIN : Atmest du nicht mit mir recorded in 1928 2:4608. Höchstes Vertrau'n recorded in 1927 4:0709. In fernem Land recorded in 1927 4:18LUDWIG HOFMANN (1895-1963), Bass/bass10. LOHENGRIN : Mein Herr und Gott recorded in 1929 2:06DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG /THE MASTERSINGERS OF NUREMBERG :11. Was duftet doch der Flieder recorded in 1932 5:5412. Verachtet mir die Meister nicht recorded in 1932 4:02Total Time: 67:46CD 9KIRSTEN FLAGSTAD (1895-1962), Sopran/Soprano01. TRISTAN UND ISOLDE : O sink hernieder recorded in 1939 17:04(mit/with Lauritz Melchior)W ESENDONCK -LIEDER recorded in 194802. Der Engel 3:4903. Stehe still 3:5804. Im Treibhaus 4:3905. Schmerzen 2:4006. Träume 4:32MARIA JERITZA (1887-1982), Sopran/soprano07. LOHENGRIN : Euch Lüften, die mein Klagen recorded in 1922 3:2808. DIE W ALKÜRE / VALKYRIE : Du bist der Lenz recorded in 1922 1:54KARIN BRANZELL (1891-1974), Mezzosopran/mezzo-sopranoGÖTTERDÄMMERUNG / TWILIGHT OF THE GODS :09. Seit er von dir geschieden recorded in 1922 8:1310. LOHENGRIN : Ortrud! Wo bist du recorded in 1928 8:04(mit/with Emmy Bettendorf)EMMY DESTINN (1878-1930), Sopran/soprano11. LOHENGRIN : Euch Lüften, die mein Klagen recorded in 1906 3:1212. Einsam in trüben Tagen recorded in 1906 2:14Total Time: 63:59CD 10TIANA LEMNITZ (1897-1994), Sopran/soprano01. TANNHÄUSER : Dich, teure Halle recorded in 1934 3:1602. Allmächt'ge Jungfrau recorded in 1934 4:26W ESENDONCK -LIEDER (A USZÜGE /E XCERPTS )03. Stehe still recorded in 1937 3:4704. Schmerzen recorded in 1937 2:51MARGARETE TESCHEMACHER (1903-1959) Sopran/sopranoWESENDONCK -LIEDER (AUSZÜGE /EXCERPTS )05. Der Engel recorded in 1934 3:2006. Träume recorded in 1934 4:2807. LOHENGRIN : Das süße Lied verhallt recorded in 1933 4:11(mit/with Marcel Wittrisch)ELISABETH RETHBERG (1894-1975) Sopran/soprano08. LOHENGRIN : Einsam in trüben Tagen recorded in 1927 4:1509. T ANNHÄUSER : Dich, teure Halle recorded in 1927 3:18DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER / THE FLYING DUTCHMAN :10. Johohoe! Traft ihr das Schiff recorded in 1930 6:05MARIA MÜLLER (1898-1958), Sopran/sopranoDIE W ALKÜRE / VALKYRIE :11. Winterstürme wichen dem Wonnemond recorded in 1936 13:03(mit/with Franz Völker)Total Time: 53:15