Description

HÉLÈNE THERESIA EMILIA CALS (AMSTERDAM, WATERGRAAFSMEER, JULY 25, 1903 – RIMINI, JULY 31, 1937)

She was trained by Rose Schoenberg at the Amsterdam Conservatory, where she was awarded the Conservatory’s Grand Prize. While still a student, she performed on Dutch radio. She gained remarkable popularity through radio broadcasts with the AVRO company in Hilversum, Holland. She was married to Nico Treep, the conductor of the Hilversum Radio Orchestra.

Her repertoire encompassed numerous roles in operas and oratorios, and she was also a highly esteemed lieder singer. In 1929–1930, she appeared on German radio, during which 12 recordings were made in Berlin for the Odeon label. She enjoyed a successful career as a concert singer and, in 1933, performed Handel’s Messiah in Leiden at the final concert given by the renowned tenor Jacques Urlus.

The artist, who passed away prematurely, did not perform on stage. Though her voice was not particularly large, as a coloratura soprano, it possessed an exquisitely beautiful sound.

TRACKLIST

1. Frühlingsstimmenwalzer (Strauß) AA 178026 Aoo 1505 Odeon, Berlin
2. Il bacio (Arditi) AA 178017 Aoo1280 Odeon, Berlin 1929
3. Il Trillo dol diavolo (Cuscina) Il Tango della Seduzione (it) A164177 Da1461 Odeon, Berlin 1929
4. Lakme (Delibes) Seht ihr des Paria Tochter Pt 1 A164 171 Da 1459 Odeon, Berlin
5. Lakme (Delibes) Seht ihr des Paria Tochter Pt 2 A164 171 Da 1460 Odeon, Berlin
6. Mignon (Thomas) Je suis Titania (Polonaise) Parlaphone E10990
7. Parla (Arditi) AA 178017 Aoo1270 Odeon, Berlin
8. Tango delle Rose (Bottero-Schreier) (It) A164177 Da1458 Odeon, Berlin 1929
9. The song of songs (Moya – Clarence Lucas) Parlophone R 1256 Da 1589
10. Vagabond King (Friml) Only a rose Parlophone R 1256 Da 1589