Description

ELISABETH BÖHM VAN ENDERT (NEUSS, 31 DECEMBER, 1876 † ZÜRICH, 27 FEBRUARY, 1956)

She began her vocal training with Wally Schauseil in Düsseldorf and continued her studies with Richard Müller in Dresden. Initially, she focused on concert and oratorio performances, but at the encouragement of renowned conductor Ernst von Schuch, she transitioned to a stage career. She made her operatic debut in 1907 at the Hofoper in Dresden as Marguerite in Gounod’s Faust. She remained with the Dresden company until 1910.

From 1910 to 1913, she was engaged by the Court Opera in Berlin, where she had already made a notable appearance in 1909. Following this, she became a soloist at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin-Charlottenburg from 1913 to 1921, and then performed at the Berlin Staatsoper during the 1921-1923 seasons. Her repertoire included roles such as Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Micaela in Carmen, Freia in Das Rheingold, Eva in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Marguerite in Faust, Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, and Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier.

Her talents led to numerous guest performances and tours in England, Belgium, Holland, and Switzerland. She also undertook two major tours of North America in the 1920s. A significant highlight of her career occurred during her time in Dresden, where on January 25, 1909, she took part in the world premiere of Richard Strauss’ opera Elektra.

After 1923, she limited her stage appearances, focusing more on concert work. She performed on a tour of Holland in 1926 and also gave concerts in London that same year. In her second marriage, she wed Leo Curth, the director of the Electrola record company. Following her retirement, she lived in Berlin, where she taught singing. In 1935, she emigrated to North America.

Chronology of some appearances

1907-1910 Dresden Hofoper

1910-1913 Berlin Court Opera

1913-1921 Berlin-Charlottenburg Deutsche Oper

1921-1923 Berlin Staatsoper

TRACKLIST

1. Die Meistersinger (Wagner) Duett Evchen-Sachs, 1 Teil – Gut’n Abend, Meister (w. Plaschke) Gramophone 044286 908½m
2. Traume (Wagner) Gramophone 043241 695
3. Barbier von Bagdad (Cornelius) Er kommt! Er kommt! (w. Von Scheele-Müller & Henke) Gramophone 044237 413AL
4. Carmen (Bizet) Arie der Micaëla Parlophon P442
5. Der Engel (Wagner) Gramophone 0943044 712
6. Die Lerche (Humperdinck) Parlophon P443
7. Die Meistersinger (Wagner) Duett Evchen-Sachs, 2 Teil – Ja, ja, das hast du dir schön erdacht (w. Plaschke) Gramophone 044287 909m
8. Freischütz (Weber) Und ob die Wolke sie verhülle Anker 5145
9. Hänsel und Gretel (Humperdinck) Brüderlein, komm’ tanz’ mit mir (w. Engell) Gramophone 3-44126 17925L
10. Hänsel und Gretel (Humperdinck) Ein Männlein steht im Walde Gramophone 3-44129 18225L
11. Hänsel und Gretel (Humperdinck) Knusper-Duett (w. Herwig) Gramophone 3-44130 18226L
12. Hänsel und Gretel (Humperdinck) Suse, liebe Suse (w. Engell) Gramophone 3-44127 17926½L
13. La Bohème (Puccini) O du süssestes Mädchen (w. Jörn) Gramophone 044271 1368s
14. Lohengrin (Wagner) Einsam in trüben Tagen Gramophone EH4 (2-043021)
15. Lohengrin (Wagner) Euch Lüften Gramophone EH4 (2-043022)
16. Lohengrin (Wagner) Königsgebet, 2 Teil Du kündest nun dein wahr’ Gericht (w. Arndt-Ober, Knüpfer, Sommer & Habich0 Gramophone 044230 299AL
17. Mignon (Thomas) Dort bei ihm ist sie jetzt Gramophone 043209 325AL
18. Mignon (Thomas) Kennst du das Land Gramophone 043208 17949L
19. Tannhäuser (Wagner) Allmacht’ge Jungfrau Gramophone 043218 653
20. Zauberflöte (Mozart) Ach ich fühl’s, es ist entschwunden Anker 5145