Description

HELENE JUNG (WEIMAR, 14 JUNE, 1887 – GOSHEIM, 3 OCTOBER, 1975)

 

 

 

 

She trained in Dresden from 1904 to 1907 under the renowned baritone Karl Scheidemantel. She made her debut in 1907 at the Weimar Court Theatre, where she was a member until 1913. From 1914 to 1920, she performed at the Hamburg City Theatre (Opera House). In 1920, she joined the Dresden State Opera, where she remained as the principal contralto until 1941.

At the Dresden Opera, she participated in several significant premieres of Richard Strauss’s operas, including Ägyptische Helena on November 6, 1928, Die schweigsame Frau on June 24, 1935, and Daphne (in the role of Gaea) on October 15, 1938. She also created a role in the premiere of Paul Graener’s opera Hanneles Himmelfahrt on February 17, 1927.

Her guest performances at prominent opera houses in Germany and abroad, including the Covent Garden Opera in London, Hamburg, Berlin, Vienna, and the Munich Festival, earned her widespread acclaim.

In 1941, she was appointed a teacher at the Weimar Music Academy, where she later received a professorship. She retired from this position in 1963 and has lived in Gosheim, Württemberg, ever since.

Her beautifully formed alto voice, known for its expressive versatility, is preserved in several recordings. Notably, she sings the role of Magdalene in a partial recording of Die Meistersinger on Electrola, conducted by Karl Böhm in 1937.

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Aida (Verdi) Bringt den Göttern Dank (w. Seinemeyer, Hirzel, Andrésen, Burg, Bader & chorus) P9171 2-20418 Parlophon, Berlin 1927-11-01
2. Aida (Verdi) Heil dir, Ägypten, Isis Heil (w. Seinemeyer, Hirzel, Andrésen, Burg, Bader & chorus) P9172 2-20420 Parlophon, Berlin 1927-11-01
3. Aida (Verdi) Himmel! Er ist’s! Mein Vater! with Hirzel, Seinemeyer, Jung, Andrésen, Burg, Bader & chorus O-8717b xxB7809 Parlophon, Berlin 1927-11-01
4. Aida (Verdi) Schon hat die heilige Isis den Feldherrn auserkoren (w. Seinemeyer, Hirzel, Andrésen, Bader & chorus) O-8717a xxB7808 Parlophon, Berlin 1927-11-01
5. Aida (Verdi) Zeig’ dich Herr, diesen Horden (w. Seinemeyer, Hirzel, Andrésen, Burg, Bader & chorus) P9172 2-20419 Parlophon, Berlin 1927-11-01
6. Ballo in maschera (Verdi) König des Abgrund 2136 1791B Vox, Berlin 1923-08
7. Hallelujah (Hummel) 02074 661A Vox, Berlin 1922-0709
8. Heimweh (Wolf) 2041 867B Vox, Berlin 1922-0608
9. Lohengrin (Wagner) Durch Gottes Sieg (w. Seinemeyer, Burg, Pilinski & Düttbernd) P9635 2-20857 Parlophon, Berlin 1928-06-25
10. Lohengrin (Wagner) Elsa, erhebe dich (w. Seinemeyer, Burg, Pilinski, Düttbernd & chorus) P9634 2-20856 Parlophon, Berlin 1928-06-25
11. Lohengrin (Wagner) Welch harte Klagen (w. Seinemeyer, Burg, Pilinski, Düttbernd & chorus) P9634 2-20855 Parlophon, Berlin 1928-06-25
12. Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Das ist sicher ein Kriegsschiff (w. Seinemeyer) P9656 2-21222 Parlophon, Berlin 1929-02-15
13. Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Wie oft sah’n euch die Blumen (w. Seinemeyer) P9656 2-21223 Parlophon, Berlin 1929-02-15
14. Prophète (Meyerbeer) Ach, mein Sohn 02040 621A Vox, Berlin 1922-0608
15. Prophète (Meyerbeer) O gebt! Errettet einen Armen 02040 622A Vox, Berlin 1922-0608
16. Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns) Die Sonne sie lachte 02112 311A Vox, Berlin 1922-0203
17. Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns) O Liebe! Meinem Hass steh’ zur Seite 02112 312A Vox, Berlin 1922-0203
18. Trovatore (Verdi) Dass nur für mich…Lodern zum Himmel (w. Pattiera, Malkin & chorus) 2-21677 P9517 Parlophon, Berlin 1930-03-21
19. Trovatore (Verdi) Ihres Augen himmlisch Strahlen (w. Malkin, Pattiera & Schöffler) P9517 2-21678 Parlophon, Berlin 1930
20. Trovatore (Verdi) In deines Kerkers tiefe Nacht (w. Malkin, Pattiera & Schöffler) P9518-II 2-21679 Parlophon, Berlin 1930
21. Trovatore (Verdi) Lodernde Flammen 2136 1792B Vox, Berlin 1923-08
22. Verborgenheit (Wolf) 2041 866B Vox, Berlin 1922-0608
23. Xerxes (Händel) Zartes Blätterdach (Ombra mai fù) 02074 660A Vox, Berlin 1922-0709