Birth

:

June 20, 1899 in St. Louis, MO

Death

:

July 28, 1972 in Santa Monica, CA

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Helen Traubel was an American opera singer and actress, born on June 16, 1899, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the daughter of a German immigrant father and an American mother. Traubel grew up in a musical family, and her father was a violinist and conductor. She began singing in church choirs at a young age and later studied voice at the St. Louis Institute of Music. Traubel made her professional debut in 1925 as a member of the St. Louis Municipal Opera Company. She then went on to perform with various opera companies throughout the United States, including the Chicago Civic Opera and the San Francisco Opera. In 1937, Traubel made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where she quickly became a favorite among audiences and critics alike. Traubel's powerful and dramatic soprano voice was well-suited for the Wagnerian repertoire, and she became known for her performances in roles such as Brünnhilde in "Die Walküre" and Isolde in "Tristan und Isolde." She also excelled in other operatic roles, including the title role in "Aida" and the Marschallin in "Der Rosenkavalier." In addition to her opera career, Traubel also appeared in several Hollywood films, including "Deep in My Heart" and "Call Me Madam." She also had a successful career on Broadway, appearing in productions such as "The Great Waltz" and "The King and I." Traubel received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the National Medal of Arts in 1987. She was also inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1970. One of Traubel's most memorable performances took place in 1944, when she sang the role of Brünnhilde in a production of "Die Walküre" at the Metropolitan Opera. The performance was notable not only for Traubel's powerful and emotional singing but also for the fact that it took place during World War II. The audience was filled with servicemen, and Traubel's performance was seen as a symbol of hope and resilience during a difficult time. Traubel continued to perform well into her 70s, and she remained a beloved figure in the world of opera until her death on July 28, 1972. Her legacy lives on through her recordings and performances, which continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.

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