Birth

:

1874 in Bielsko, Poland

Death

:

1933 in Vienna, Austria

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Selma Kurz was a renowned Austrian soprano who was born on May 15, 1874, in Biala, Poland. She was the daughter of a Jewish merchant, and her family moved to Vienna when she was a child. Kurz showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. However, it was her singing voice that would eventually make her famous. Kurz began her vocal training at the Vienna Conservatory when she was just 14 years old. She studied under the renowned soprano Lilli Lehmann, who recognized Kurz's talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in opera. Kurz made her debut at the Vienna Court Opera in 1894, singing the role of the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Her performance was a huge success, and she quickly became one of the most sought-after sopranos in Europe. Over the next few years, Kurz performed in many of the major opera houses in Europe, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Paris Opera, and La Scala in Milan. She was known for her powerful voice, her impeccable technique, and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. Kurz was particularly renowned for her performances of Mozart's operas, and she became known as one of the greatest interpreters of his music. In 1900, Kurz made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, singing the role of Gilda in Verdi's "Rigoletto." Her performance was a huge success, and she quickly became a favorite of New York audiences. Kurz continued to perform at the Metropolitan Opera for the next several years, singing a wide range of roles in operas by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, and others. One of Kurz's most famous performances took place in 1906, when she sang the role of Zerbinetta in Richard Strauss's "Ariadne auf Naxos" at the Vienna Court Opera. The performance was a sensation, and Kurz's interpretation of the role became legendary. She continued to perform in Vienna for many years, and she was particularly beloved by Austrian audiences. Kurz was also known for her work as a concert singer. She performed in many recitals throughout Europe and the United States, singing a wide range of music from Mozart to Wagner to contemporary composers. She was particularly renowned for her performances of lieder, or German art songs, and she recorded many of them during her career. Throughout her career, Kurz received many honors and awards. She was made a Kammersängerin, or court singer, by the Austrian government in 1905, and she was awarded the Gold Medal of the Vienna Philharmonic in 1911. She was also awarded the Order of the Star of Romania in 1924 and the Order of the Legion of Honor in France in 1927. Kurz continued to perform well into her 60s, and she remained a beloved figure in the world of opera and classical music until her death in 1933. She was remembered as one of the greatest sopranos of her time, and her recordings and performances continue to be admired by music lovers around the world.

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