Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

February 6, 1898 in Berlin, Germany

Death

:

March 2, 1972 in Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Erna Sack was a German coloratura soprano who was born on February 6, 1898, in Spandau, Germany. She was the daughter of a church musician and began singing in her father's choir at a young age. Her talent was recognized early on, and she received vocal training from her father and later from other teachers. Sack made her professional debut in 1921 at the Stadttheater in Königsberg, Germany. She quickly gained a reputation as a talented singer and was soon performing in major opera houses throughout Europe. In 1927, she made her debut at the Berlin State Opera, where she became a regular performer. Sack's voice was known for its purity, agility, and clarity. She was particularly skilled in the coloratura repertoire, which requires a high degree of technical skill and agility. Her performances were characterized by her effortless high notes, precise intonation, and expressive phrasing. One of Sack's most famous roles was as the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." She performed this role numerous times throughout her career and was widely regarded as one of the greatest interpreters of the role. She also performed in other Mozart operas, including "Don Giovanni" and "The Marriage of Figaro." Sack was also known for her performances of operettas and light music. She had a particular affinity for the music of Franz Lehár and performed in many of his operettas, including "The Merry Widow" and "The Land of Smiles." She also recorded numerous popular songs and folk tunes, which were widely popular in Germany and other parts of Europe. Sack's career was interrupted by World War II, during which she was forced to perform for the Nazi regime. She was criticized for her association with the regime, but she maintained that she was simply trying to continue her career and support her family. After the war, she was briefly banned from performing, but she was eventually allowed to resume her career. In the post-war years, Sack continued to perform in opera houses and concert halls throughout Europe. She also made numerous recordings, which remain popular to this day. She was particularly admired for her performances of Bach's sacred music, which she performed with great sensitivity and expressiveness. Sack received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1937, she was awarded the title of Kammersängerin by the Berlin State Opera, which is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a singer in Germany. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1955. Sack retired from performing in 1956, but she continued to teach and mentor young singers. She died on March 2, 1972, in Mainz, Germany, at the age of 74. She is remembered as one of the greatest coloratura sopranos of the 20th century, and her recordings continue to be admired for their technical skill and expressive power.

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