Description

SABINE KALTER, MARRIED SABINE AUFRICHTIG (JAROSŁAW, GALICIA, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, 23 MARCH 1889 – LONDON, 1 SEPTEMBER 1957)

After studying at the Vienna Music Academy, she made her debut at the Vienna Volksoper in 1911, where she also performed in the Vienna premiere of Königskinder by Engelbert Humperdinck. In 1915, she joined the Stadttheater in Hamburg, where she remained as the first contralto until 1933, and was particularly renowned for her portrayals of roles like Lady Macbeth in Verdi’s Macbeth and Herodias in Strauss’s Salome.

Aufrichtig’s career flourished across major German opera houses, and she became especially recognized for her Wagnerian roles. She participated in the 1927 premiere of Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Das Wunder der Heliane and sang in the world premiere of Paul Hindemith’s Neues vom Tage at the Berlin Kroll Opera in 1929. Her performance as Jocasta in the premiere of Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex in 1928 also garnered attention.

In 1935, as a result of her Jewish heritage, Aufrichtig was forced to leave Germany, moving to England. There, she enjoyed great success at Covent Garden Opera from 1935 to 1939, where she performed as Brangäne in Tristan und Isolde, alongside the renowned Kirsten Flagstad. Other roles at Covent Garden included Fricka, Ortrud in Lohengrin, and Herodias. She also performed in Antwerp and toured Holland before retiring from the stage in 1939. However, she continued her musical career through concert performances and teaching in London. In 1950, she returned to Hamburg for a concert, marking a final appearance on the stage.

TRACKLIST

1. Aida (Verdi) Ich lieb’ ihn ja noch immer (w. Tauber) 80969, xxB6860 Odeon, Berlin 1923-04-30
2. Aida (Verdi) Was hab’ ich leiden müssen (w. Tauber) 80968, xxB6861 Odeon, Berlin 1923-04-30
3. Carmen (Bizet) Kartenlied 80459 xxB7133 Odeon, Berlin 1925-03-13
4. Prophète (Meyerbeer) Ihr Baalpriester, ihr 80147, xxB6868 Odeon, Berlin 1923-05-23
5. Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns) Die Sonne, sie lachte Rxx80710 xxB7056 Odeon, Berlin 1924-10-10
6. Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns) Sieh, mein Herz erschließet sich Rxx80711 xxB7057 Odeon, Berlin 1924-10-10
7. Trovatore (Verdi) Dort verlebt’ ich trübe Stunden 80787 xxB7136 Odeon, Berlin 1925-03-13
8. Trovatore (Verdi) Ich bin dein Sohn nicht (w. Bollmann) 80461 xxB7438 Odeon, Berlin 1926-03-05 (ac)
9. Trovatore (Verdi) Lodernde Flammen 80775, xxB7058 Odeon, Berlin 1924-10-10
11. Trovatore (Verdi) Wenn du mich liebst, so höre meine Stimme (w. Tauber) 80943 xxB6862 Odeon, Berlin 1923-04-30
12. Trovatore (Verdi) Wir sind allein nun (w. Bollmann) 80460 xxB7437 Odeon, Berlin 1926-03-05 (ac)