Elisabeth Rethberg
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
22 September 1894
Elisabeth Rethberg | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Lisbeth Sättler 22 September 1894 Schwarzenberg, Germany |
| Died | 6 June 1976 (aged 81) |
| Occupation | operatic spinto soprano |
| Organizations | |
Elisabeth Rethberg (née Lisbeth Sättler; 22 September 1894 – 6 June 1976) was a German operatic spinto soprano singer who was active from the period of the First World War through the early 1940s. After Richard Strauss assigned the role of the Empress in his Die Frau ohne Schatten to her at the Dresden Opera in 1919, she went on to perform as Verdi's Aida at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and La Scala in Milan, among others. She returned to Dresden often, including to appear in title role of Die ägyptische Helena in the world premiere.
Early years
Lisbeth Sättler was born in Schwarzenberg. Her father was a teacher, and supplied her first musical education.[1] She studied piano and voice at the Dresden Royal Conservatory from age 16 with Otto Watrin.[2] She made her operatic debut in Dresden opposite Richard Tauber on 16 June 1915, as Arsena in the operetta Der Zigeunerbaron by Johann Strauss.[1][3] In 1916 she performed leading roles such as the Countess Mozart's Figaro, Eva in Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. In 1919, Richard Strauss entrusted her to perform the role of the Empress in his Die Frau ohne Schatten, she was so successful that he wanted to engage her at the Vienna State Opera. She was then recognised internationally, and appeared at major operas houses in Europe.[2]
Metropolitan Opera
Rethberg sang with the Dresden Opera until 1922, when she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera (Met) as Verdi's Aida.[1] She moved to the US and remained with the Metropolitan Opera for 20 seasons, singing 30 roles.[1] She studied further with Estelle Liebling in New York City.[4] Her four Met opening nights (Wagner's Die Walküre, Mozarts Figaro and two times Aida) tie her with Licia Albanese as the soprano awarded the most Met opening nights. She also was engaged by London's Royal Opera House, where she sang in 1925 and from 1934–1939.[3]
Other international performances
She appeared at the Salzburg Festival in Austria, to audiences at La Scala in Milan, where she performed again as Aida, conducted by Toscanini, and elsewhere in Europe.[1]
Rethberg often returned to Dresden. In 1928, she created the title role in Strauss's Die ägyptische Helena, conducted by Fritz Busch.[1] She retired from the stage in 1942.
Personal life
Rethberg was first married to Ernst Albert Dormann. In 1956, she married the Russian-born Met comprimario singer George Cehanovsky.[3]
Rethberg died in Yorktown Heights at age 81 [2]
