Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Margarete Matzenauer was a renowned classical music artist who made a significant contribution to the world of opera and concert singing. Born on June 7, 1881, in Temesvár, Hungary (now Timișoara, Romania), Matzenauer was the daughter of a military bandmaster. She showed an early interest in music and began her vocal training at the age of 14. Her talent was quickly recognized, and she was soon performing in local concerts and operas. Matzenauer's professional career began in 1902 when she joined the Budapest Opera. She quickly gained a reputation as a talented mezzo-soprano and was soon invited to perform in other European cities, including Berlin, Vienna, and London. In 1905, she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where she would become a regular performer for the next 18 years. Matzenauer's voice was known for its rich, warm tone and powerful projection. She was particularly renowned for her performances of Wagnerian roles, including Brangäne in Tristan und Isolde, Fricka in Die Walküre, and Kundry in Parsifal. She also excelled in the works of Verdi, singing the roles of Amneris in Aida and Azucena in Il trovatore. One of Matzenauer's most memorable performances was in the world premiere of Richard Strauss's opera Salome at the Metropolitan Opera in 1907. She sang the role of Herodias, the mother of Salome, and her performance was widely praised for its dramatic intensity and vocal power. Matzenauer also performed in the American premiere of Strauss's Elektra in 1909, singing the role of Klytämnestra. In addition to her opera performances, Matzenauer was also a successful concert singer. She performed in recitals and with orchestras throughout Europe and the United States, singing works by composers such as Bach, Brahms, and Mahler. She was particularly renowned for her performances of Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde, which she sang with the composer himself conducting. Matzenauer's career was not without its challenges. In 1918, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was forced to take a break from performing. She spent several years recuperating in a sanatorium in Switzerland before returning to the stage in 1922. She continued to perform for several more years, but her health remained fragile, and she eventually retired from singing in 1935. Despite her relatively short career, Matzenauer was widely recognized as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of her time. She received numerous accolades for her performances, including the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society in London and the Légion d'honneur from the French government. She was also a favorite of many composers, including Strauss and Mahler, who wrote roles specifically for her voice. Matzenauer died on May 19, 1963, in New York City at the age of 81. She left behind a legacy of exceptional performances and a reputation as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of the early 20th century. Her recordings, which include works by Wagner, Verdi, and Mahler, continue to be admired by music lovers around the world.

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