Birth

:

March 23, 1895 in Vienna, Austria

Death

:

October 15, 1974 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

Fritzi Jokl was a renowned classical music artist who made a significant contribution to the world of opera and concert singing. Born on December 6, 1891, in Vienna, Austria, Jokl was the daughter of a prominent physician, Dr. Josef Jokl, and his wife, Marie Jokl. From a young age, Jokl showed a keen interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. She later switched to voice lessons and began studying with the famous Austrian soprano, Selma Kurz. Jokl's talent as a singer was evident from an early age, and she made her debut at the age of 18 in a performance of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" at the Vienna State Opera. Her performance was well-received, and she was soon offered a contract with the opera company. Jokl quickly established herself as one of the leading sopranos of her time, and her performances were praised for their clarity, precision, and emotional depth. Over the course of her career, Jokl performed in many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera. She was particularly renowned for her performances of Mozart's operas, and her portrayal of the role of the Queen of the Night in "The Magic Flute" was considered one of her greatest achievements. In addition to her work in opera, Jokl was also a highly sought-after concert singer. She performed in many of the world's leading concert halls, including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Musikverein in Vienna. Her repertoire included works by Bach, Handel, Schubert, and Brahms, among others. Jokl's career was not without its challenges, however. She was forced to flee Austria in 1938 following the Anschluss, the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany. Jokl, who was Jewish, settled in the United States and continued to perform there. She became a naturalized citizen in 1944. Despite the challenges she faced, Jokl continued to perform at the highest level throughout her career. She received many awards and honors for her work, including the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art in 1953 and the Grand Decoration of Honor in Gold for Services to the Republic of Austria in 1961. Jokl's legacy as a classical music artist is still felt today. Her recordings continue to be admired for their technical excellence and emotional depth, and her performances are still studied by aspiring singers around the world. She died on December 6, 1974, in New York City, at the age of 83.

More....