Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

May 31, 1924 in Wetzlar, Germany

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Gisela May was a renowned German actress and singer, known for her contributions to the world of classical music. Born on May 31, 1924, in Wetzlar, Germany, May grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a conductor, and her mother was a singer, which inspired her to pursue a career in music. May began her musical training at the age of six, studying piano and violin. She later attended the Leipzig Conservatory, where she studied singing and acting. After completing her studies, May began performing in various theaters across Germany, including the Berliner Ensemble, where she worked with the famous playwright Bertolt Brecht. May's breakthrough performance came in 1955 when she played the role of Jenny in Brecht's "The Threepenny Opera." Her performance was widely acclaimed, and she went on to perform the role in various productions across Europe. May's portrayal of Jenny was considered one of the most iconic performances in the history of the play. May's success in "The Threepenny Opera" led to other major roles in Brecht's plays, including "Mother Courage and Her Children" and "The Good Person of Szechwan." Her performances in these plays earned her critical acclaim and established her as one of the leading actresses of her time. In addition to her work in theater, May was also a prolific singer. She recorded numerous albums of classical music, including works by Bach, Schubert, and Schumann. Her recordings were widely praised for their emotional depth and technical skill. May's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1979, she was awarded the National Prize of East Germany for her contributions to the arts. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of Berlin in 1994 and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2000. May continued to perform and record music well into her later years. She passed away on December 1, 2016, at the age of 92. Her legacy as one of the greatest classical music artists of her time continues to inspire and influence musicians and performers around the world.

More....