Description

ELSE BREMS (DANMARK, COPENHAGEN 8 JULY 1908 – DANMARK, COPENHAGEN 4 OCTOBER 1995)

 

 

 

 

She first studied singing under her father, concert tenor Anders Brems (1877–1974). She then trained with renowned pedagogues Cunelli in Paris, Mme Charles Cahier in Berlin, and Rosati in New York. In 1928, she made her concert debut in Copenhagen.

Her operatic debut came in 1930 as Carmen at the Royal Opera of Copenhagen, where she enjoyed a long and successful career. She also had notable guest appearances at the National Operas of Prague and Budapest, the Vienna State Opera during the 1937–1938 season, the Warsaw Opera, and in 1948, at Covent Garden in London, where she again debuted as Carmen.

During the 1936–1937 season, she undertook an extensive concert tour of the USA. In 1942, she performed in Stockholm, and in 1948, she appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She took part in the memorable European premiere of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess at the Copenhagen Opera in 1943, an event seen as a statement against the German occupation.

Her concert work, particularly her interpretations of J.S. Bach’s compositions, was also highly successful. In 1946, she was appointed Royal Court Singer. From 1940 to 1949, she was married to tenor Stefan Islandi (1907–1994).

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Carmen (Bizet) Habanera X25030 2275C Tono, Kobenhavn 1944-02-22
2. Her vil ties, her vil bies (Berggreen) DA5285 0CS3412-2A,2B HMV, Kobenhavn 1952-12-27
3. Carmen (Bizet) Seguidilla (w. Svendsen) X25030 2276A Tono, Kobenhavn 1944-02-22
4. Velkommen igen, Guds engle smaa (Berggreen) X8229 0CS3554-1A,1B HMV, Kobenhavn 1954-10-15
5. Firenze (P. E. Lange-Muller Einar Christiansen) Tono K 8035 2527B
6. Samson og Dalila (Saint-Saens) Printemp qui commence Tono X 25050 2569A
7. I Mester Sebalds Have (Lange-Muller Sophus Bauditz) Gjenboens forste Vise HMV DA 5237 0CS 1822-1
8. Himlen ulmer svagt i flammerodt (Lange-Muller Thor Lange) HMV DA 5237
9. Samson og Dalila (Saint-Saens) Mon c?ur s’ouvre a ta voix Tono X 25050 2570C
10. La flute enchante L’indifferent af Sheherazade sangcyclus (Ravel) Radioudsendelse
11. Ved Solnedgang (P.E. Lange-Muller C.F. Molbech) Tono K 8035 2526B
12. Den unge l?rkes forarssang (P. HeiseSt. St. Blicher) Koncertoptagelse
13. Sulamit lille Trad. mel. fra Jylland Brorson Radioudsendelse
14. Thorstens Sang fra En nat mellem fjeldene (P. Heise J.C. Hostrup) Koncertoptagelse
15. Til Danmark fra Marie Grubbe (Ebbe Hamerik Fr. Nygaard) Radioudsendelse
16. Ariettes Oubliee (Debussy) Radioudsendelse
17. J’ai perdu mon Euridice fra Orphee et Eurydice (Gluck) Radioudsendelse
18. Hvad est du dog skon Trad. mel. fra Harboore Brorson Radioudsendelse
19. V?gterversene Trad. Radioudsendelse
20. Jeg Mindes Vel Et Sted Lauras Sang fra romanen Robert Fulton (P. Heise Carsten Hauch) Koncertoptagelse
21. Impious wretch fra Saul (G.F. Handel Charles Jennens) Radioudsendelse
22. Duet – Bess, du er min Kvinde nu af Porgy og Bess (Gershwin Holger Bech) with Einar Norby Tono X 25028 2271C
23. Jeg l?gger mig sa trygt til ro (Carl Nielsen Chr. Winter) Radioudsendelse
24. Du lieber Heilland – Buss und Reu fra Matthauspassion (J. S. Bach) Radioudsendelse
25. Inflammatus fra Stabat Mater (Antonin Dvorak Jacobo da Todi) Radioudsendelse