Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

April 18, 1888 in Berlin, Germany

Death

:

June 4, 1975 in Berlin, Germany

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Frida Leider was a German soprano who was born on April 18, 1888, in Berlin. She was the daughter of a Jewish family and grew up in a musical environment. Her father was a cantor, and her mother was a pianist. Leider began her musical training at a young age, studying piano and voice. She made her debut as a singer in 1909, performing in a production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" in Berlin. Leider's career took off in the 1920s, when she began performing at the Berlin State Opera. She quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading sopranos of her time, known for her powerful voice and dramatic performances. She was particularly renowned for her interpretations of Wagner's operas, and she became closely associated with the role of Isolde in "Tristan und Isolde." Leider's international career began in 1924, when she made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London. She went on to perform at many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Paris Opera, and the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. She was also a regular performer at the Bayreuth Festival, where she sang in many productions of Wagner's operas. One of Leider's most famous performances was her portrayal of Isolde in a production of "Tristan und Isolde" at the Metropolitan Opera in 1935. The performance was widely acclaimed, and Leider was praised for her powerful voice and emotional intensity. She went on to perform the role many times throughout her career, and it became one of her signature roles. Leider was also known for her performances of other Wagnerian roles, including Brünnhilde in "Die Walküre" and Kundry in "Parsifal." She was also a renowned interpreter of the works of Richard Strauss, and she performed in many productions of his operas, including "Salome" and "Elektra." In addition to her opera performances, Leider was also a successful concert singer. She performed in many concerts throughout her career, singing a wide range of repertoire, including lieder, oratorio, and symphonic works. She was particularly renowned for her performances of Mahler's symphonies, and she worked closely with the composer during his lifetime. Leider's career was interrupted by the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany. As a Jewish artist, she was no longer able to perform in Germany, and she was forced to flee the country in 1938. She settled in Switzerland, where she continued to perform and teach. She also became involved in efforts to help other Jewish artists escape from Germany. Leider's career continued to flourish in Switzerland, and she remained a highly respected artist throughout her life. She was awarded many honors and awards for her contributions to music, including the title of Kammersängerin from the Berlin State Opera and the Goethe Medal from the German government. Leider died on June 4, 1975, in Zurich, Switzerland. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century, known for her powerful voice, dramatic performances, and deep musicality. Her recordings continue to be admired by music lovers around the world, and her influence can be heard in the performances of many singers who have followed in her footsteps.

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