Description

MARGARETHE SIEMS (BRESLAU, 20 DECEMBER, 1879 – DRESDEN, 13 APRIL, 1952)

 

 

 

 

She studied under Aglaja Orgeni in Dresden, later with Pauline Viardot-Garcia in Paris, and with the famous baritone Mattia Battistini. In 1902, she made her debut at the German Theater in Prague as Marguerite de Valois in Les Huguenots. She performed there until 1908, and during her tenure, she sang in the premieres of Puccini’s La Bohème and Madame Butterfly. In 1905, she also performed in the premiere of Anselm Goetzl’s Zierpuppen.

In 1908, she succeeded Irene Abendroth at the Court Opera of Dresden. There, she sang in the premiere of Richard Strauss’s Elektra on January 25, 1909, and in the premiere of Der Rosenkavalier on January 26, 1911. She performed the latter role at Covent Garden in 1913. On October 25, 1912, at the Stuttgart Court Opera, she sang the role of Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos, a role Richard Strauss had composed with her voice in mind.

From 1904, she had numerous guest performances at the Berlin Court Opera, and from 1904 to 1916, at the Court Opera of Munich. She also appeared at the Vienna Court Opera in 1911 and 1921. Prior to World War I, she guest-starred at the Viennese People’s Opera (1906), in London (1914 at the Drury Lane Theatre), Milan, St. Petersburg, and Amsterdam.

In 1920, she became a pedagogue at the Berlin Conservatory but continued to give guest performances in Dresden and Berlin. She was appointed an honorary member of the Dresden opera. After returning to Dresden in 1926, she performed only at concert halls. In 1937, she received a professorship at the Wroclaw Conservatory but returned to Dresden in 1946. Among her pupils was Sigrid Onegin.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1909 Dresden Hofoper Elektra (Chrysothemis)

1911 Dresden Hofoper Der Rosenkavalier (Marschallin)

1913 London Covent Garden Der Rosenkavalier (Marschallin)

1913 London Covent Garden Der Rosenkavalier (Marschallin)

 

TRACKLIST 

 

 

1. Martha (Flotow) Letzte Rose 55625 Pathé, Berlin 1912-08
2. Mignon (Thomas) Titania ist herabgestiegen 043024 229y G&T, Praha 1903-0910
3. Norma (Bellini) Sieh’, o Norma (w. Forstel) 2-44095 3677L G&T, Praha 1906-01
4. Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Briefduett, in register as by Förstel and Langendorf but is perhaps by Siems and Förstel 2-44117 3658L G&T, Praha 1906-01
5. Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Rosenarie 55627 Pathé, Berlin 1912-08
6. Rigoletto (Verdi) Teurer Name P573 Parlophon, Berlin 1911-02
7. Rosenkavalier (Strauss) Hab’ mir’s gelobt (w. Nast & von der Osten) 044186 2302c Gramophone, Berlin1911-08-25
8. Rosenkavalier (Strauss) Hab’ mir’s gelobt (w. Nast & von der Osten) 80064 xxB5403 Odeon, Berlin 1911-05
9. Rosenkavalier (Strauss) Kann michauch an ein Madel erinnern 043179 2303c Gramophone, Berlin1911-08-25
10. Rosenkavalier (Strauss) Monolog der Marschallin P578 Parlophon, Berlin 1911-02
11. Thema und Variationen (Proch) 43518 1918x G&T, Praha 1903-0910
12. Traviata (Verdi) Er ist es 43533 1928x G&T, Praha 1903-0910
13. Traviata (Verdi) s’ ist seltsam, sehr seltsam P579 Parlophon, Berlin 1911-02
14. Trovatore (Verdi) In deines Kerkers finst’re Nacht 043069 263m G&T, Praha 1906-01
15. Trovatore (Verdi) In deines Kerkers tiefer Nacht 55624, Pathé, Berlin 1912-08