Description

META SEINEMEYER (BERLIN, SEPTEMBER 5, 1895 – DRESDEN, AUGUST 19, 1929)

 

 

 

 

She was the daughter of a detective inspector and received her vocal training from Nikolaus Rothmühl and Ernst Grenzebach in Berlin. She made her operatic debut in 1918 at the Deutsches Opernhaus Berlin, singing Eurydice in Gluck’s Orpheus, and remained with the company for seven years until 1925. In 1923, she participated in a North American tour with the German Opera Company, during which she also performed at the Metropolitan Opera. With this troupe, she took on notable roles such as Eva in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and Elisabeth in Tannhäuser, which she later performed at the Sopot Festival.

In 1925, she joined the Dresden State Opera, where she collaborated with artists like Tino Pattiera, Robert Burg, Max Hirzel, and Ivar Andresen, contributing significantly to the Verdi Renaissance of the 1920s in Germany, centered in Dresden. On May 21, 1925, she premiered the role of the Duchess of Parma in Busoni’s Doktor Faust. The following year, she portrayed Maddalena in the renowned Dresden premiere of Giordano’s Andrea Chénier.

In 1926, she toured South America, earning acclaim at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires for her performances as Agathe in Der Freischütz, Eva in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, and Elisabeth in Tannhäuser. Her international appearances included guest performances at the Vienna State Opera in 1927 and at Covent Garden in London in 1929, where she sang Eva, Elsa, and Sieglinde. That same year, she participated in the Wagner Festival at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris and performed in The Hague.

Tragically, at the peak of her career, she succumbed to an incurable blood disease. On her deathbed, she married conductor Frieder Weißmann (1893–1984). Her soprano voice was celebrated as one of the most beautiful of her era, remarkable for its expressive range and exceptional musicality. Her legacy lives on through outstanding recordings on the Parlophon and Artiphon labels.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Artiphon acoustic recordings (all recorded Nov. 8, 1919, rather than the usually-accepted date of Dec. 8, 1924).

Bizet: Carmen. Ich seh’ die Mutter dort. With Johannes Scheurich.

Matrix no.: M 12 5 20 L8C D666. Issue no.: 2716.

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana. Nein, nein Turiddu. With Johannes Scheurich.

Matrix no.: C 22 12 19 L8C D667. Issue no.: 2717.

Johann Strauss: Der Zigeunerbaron. Wer uns getraut. With Gustav Werner.

Matrix no.: Z 11 5 28 D669. Issue no.: ART 669. Wotama D669.

 

Parlophon acoustic recordings. All were recorded in Berlin and conducted by Frieder Weissmann:

Nov. 17, 1925:

Giordano: Andrea Chenier. Von Blut gerötet war meine Schwelle (La mamma morta).

Matrix no.: 2-8439. Issue no.: P. 2089.

Puccini: Madama Butterfly. Eines Tages seh’n wir (Un bel di vedremo).

Matrix no. 2-8440. Issue no.: P. 2089.

 

Feb. 11, 1926:

Verdi: Forza del Destino. Hier bin ich (Son giunta).

Matrix no.: 2-8579. Issue no.: P. 2168.

Verdi: Forza del Destino. Frieden, Ruhe, Frieden (Pace, pace, mio Dio).

Matrix no.: 2-8580. Issue no.: P. 2168.

Puccini: Tosca. Nur der Schönheit weiht’ ich mein Leben (Vissi d’arte).

Matrix no.: 2-8581. Issue no.: P. 2182.

 

Feb. 12, 1926:

Verdi: Forza del Destino. Noch hegt mich der geliebte Ort (Io non amarlo).

Matrix no.: 2-8582. Issue no.: P. 2182.

Puccini: Tosca. Ha! Geleit für Floria Tosca (Act III duet). With Carl Martin Oehmann.

Matrix no.: 2-8583. Issue no.: P. 2219. Historic Masters reissue: HM 63.

Puccini: Tosca. (Act III duet, part 2, beginning with “Wisse, nah’ ist die Stunde”).

Matrix no.: 2-8584. Issue no.: P. 2219. Historic Masters reissue: HM 64.

 

Apr. 9, 1926:

Strauss: Cäcilie.

Matrix no.: 2-8802. Issue no.: P. 2218.

Verdi: Otello. Sie saß mit Leide auf öder Weide (Willow Song).

Matrix no.: 2-8803. Issue no.: E 10506 (English Parlophone)

Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann. Sie entfloh’, die Taube so minnig.

Matrix no.: 2-8804. Issue no.: P. 2236. (The Preiser booklet gives P. 2235).

 

Apr. 12, 1926:

Weber: Der Freischütz. Wie nahte mir der Schlummer.

Matrix no.: 2-8805-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 2243; E 10484 (English Parlophone).

Weber: Der Freischütz. Alles pflegt schon längst der Ruh’.

Matrix no.: 2-8806. Issue no.: P. 2243; E 10484 (English Parlophone).

Weber: Der Freischütz. Und ob die Wolke sie verhüllte.

Matrix no.: 2-8807. Issue no.: P. 2235; E 10506 (English Parlophone).

Strauss: Morgen.

Matrix no.: 2-8809. Issue no.: P. 2218.

 

Parlophon electric recordings. All were recorded in Berlin and conducted by Frieder Weissmann:

Oct. 12, 1926:

Ponchielli: La Gioconda. Suicidio!

Matrix no.: 2-8926. Issue no.: P. 9016. Also issued on Odeon with matrix no. xxB 7525.

Verdi: Aida. Als Sieger kehre heim (Ritorna vincitor).

Matrix no.: 2-8927. Issue no.: P. 9862; P. 9653. Also issued on Odeon as O-7646 with matrix no. xxB 7525.

Verdi: Aida. Als Sieger kehre heim (part 2).

Matrix no.: 2-8928. Issue no.: P. 9862; P. 9653. Also issued on Odeon as O-7646 with matrix no. xxB 7526.

Puccini: La Bohème. Man nennt mich jetzt Mimi.

Matrix no.: 2-8929-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9016. Also issued on Odeon with matrix no. xxB 7523.

 

Nov. 3, 1926:

Giordano: Andrea Chenier. Du kommst daher. With Tino Pattiera.

Matrix no.: 2-8938. Issue no.: P. 9028; E 10619 (English Parlophone); A 4006 (Australia). Also issued on Odeon as O-8700 (brown) and O-7525 (blue) with matrix no. xxB 7520.

Giordano: Andrea Chenier. Du kommst daher (part 2).

Matrix no.: 2-8939-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9028; E10619 (English Parlophone); A 4006 (Australia). Also issued on Odeon as O-8700 (brown) and O-7525 (blue) with matrix no. xxB 7521.

Puccini: La Bohème. O du süssestes Mädchen. With Tino Pattiera.

Matrix no.: 2-8940-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9048; E 10976 (English Parlophone); A 4223 (Australia). Also issued on Odeon as O-8701 (brown) and O-7524 (blue) with matrix no. xxB 7522.

Giordano: Andrea Chenier. Die Bersi hat sich meiner angenommen (Udite! Sona sola!). With Tino Pattiera.

Matrix no.: 2-8941. Issue no.: P. 9048; E 10976 (English Parlophone); A 4223 (Australia). Also issued on Odeon as O-8701 (brown) and O-7524 (blue) with matrix no. xxB 7554.

 

Nov. 27, 1926:

Mozart: Nozze di Figaro. Und Susanna kommt nicht… Wohin flehen die Wonnestunden (Dove sono).

Matrix no.: 2-20255. Issue no.: P. 9832; P. 9360; O-7569 (Odeon); E 11130 (English Parlophone); 20571 (American Decca).

Mozart: Nozze di Figaro. Wohin flehen die Wonnestunden (part 2).

Matrix no.: 2-20256. Issue no.: P. 9832; P. 9360; O-7569 (Odeon); E 11130 (English Parlophone); 20571 (American Decca).

 

May 5, 1927:

Verdi: Forza del Destino. Son giunta, grazie O Dio/Madre pietosa. With chorus.

Matrix no.: 2-20258. Issue no.: P. 9116; P. 9630; O-7834 (Odeon); E 10605 (English Parlophone).

Verdi: Forza del Destino. Non m’abbandonar.

Matrix no.: 2-20259. Issue no.: P. 9116; P. 9630; O-7834 (Odeon); E 10605 (English Parlophone).

Verdi: Forza del Destino. Pace, pace, mio Dio.

Matrix no.: 2-20260. Issue no.: P. 9865; P. 9657; O-7648 (Odeon).

 

Nov. 1, 1927:

Verdi: Aida. Zu des Niles heil’gem Ufer eilt dahin (Act I ensemble). With Helene Jung, Ivar Andrésen, Willy Bader.

Matrix no.: 2-20417. Issue no.: P. 9171; E 10746 (English Parlophone); A 5014 (Australia); also issued by Odeon as O-8717 (brown) and O-7522 (blue) with matrix no. xxB 7808.

Verdi: Aida. Bringt den Göttern Dank (Act II ensemble). With Helene Jung, Max Hirzel, Robert Burg, Ivar Andrésen, Willy Bader.

Matrix no.: 2-20418. Issue no.: P. 9171; E 10746 (English Parlophone); A 5014 (Australia); also issued by Odeon as O-8717 (brown) and O-7522 (blue) with matrix no. xxB 7809.

Verdi: Aida. (Act II ensemble, part 2, beginning with “Zeig’ dich, Herr, diesen Horden”).

Matrix no.: 2-20419. Issue no.: P. 9172; E 10747 (English Parlophone); A 5015 (Australia); also issued by Odeon as O-8718 (brown) and O-7523 (blue) with matrix no. xxB 7810.

Verdi: Aida. (Act II ensemble, part 3, beginning with “Heil dir, Aegypten, Isis Heil!”).

Matrix no.: 2-20420. Issue no.: P. 9172; E 10747 (English Parlophone); A 5015 (Australia); also issued by Odeon as O-8718 (brown) and O-7523 (blue) with matrix no. xxB 7811.

 

Nov. 2, 1927:

Puccini: Manon Lescaut. In quelle trine morbide.

Matrix no.: 2-20424-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9819; P. 9621; O-7568 (Odeon); E 11153 (English Parlophone); A 4348 (Australia).

Rimsky-Korsakov: Die Zarenbraut. Iwan Sergeiwitsch, geh’n wir in den Garten.

Matrix no.: 2-20425-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9819; P. 9621; O-7832 (Odeon); A 4348 (Australia).

Verdi: Don Carlo. Tu che le vanità.

Matrix no.: 2-20426. Issue no.: P. 9873; P. 9665; O-7650 (Odeon).

Verdi: Don Carlo. Tu che le vanità (part 2, beginning with “Francia…”)

Matrix no.: 2-20427. Issue no.: P. 9873; P. 9665; O-7650 (Odeon).

 

Dec. 27, 1927:

Verdi: Forza del Destino. Die Wunden brennen fühl’ ich nicht (La vergine degli angeli).

Matrix no.: 2-20542-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9808; P. 9611; O-7567 (Odeon); E 10709 (English Parlophone); A 5010 (Australia).

Verdi: Forza del Destino. Einst wirst du dein Los beklagen. With Ivar Andrésen.

Matrix no.: 2-20545. Issue no.: E 11153 (English Parlophone).

Verdi: Forza del Destino. Du wirst den Schritt beim Morgenrot. With Ivar Andrésen.

Matrix no.: 2-20547. Issue no.: P. 9865; P. 9657; O-7648 (Odeon).

 

Jan. 19, 1928 (the Preiser booklet says Mar. 8, 1928):

Verdi: Il Trovatore. O Himmel, was hör’ ich, welch; schaurige Klänge (Miserere). With John Gläser.

Matrix no.: 2-20576-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9815; P. 9637; O-7799 (Odeon).

Wagner: Tristan und Isolde. Mild und leise, wie er lächelt (Liebestod).

Matrix no.: 2-20577-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9831; P. 9610; O-6920 (Odeon); E 10829 (English Parlophone); 25442 (American Decca); A 5032 (Australia).

Strauss: Traum durch die Dämmerung.

Matrix no.: 2-20578. Issue no.: P. 9870; P. 9662.

 

Apr. 19, 1928:

Schubert: Gretchen am Spinnrade.

Matrix no.: 2-20717. Issue no.: P. 9871; P. 9663; O-7652 (Odeon); 25832 (American Decca).

 

Apr. 24, 1928:

Schubert: Mignon III.

Matrix no.: 2-20725-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9871; P. 9662; O-7652 (Odeon).

Schubert: Die junge Nonne.

Matrix no.: 2-20726. Issue no.: P. 9870; P. 9662; O-7652 (Odeon); 25832 (American Decca).

Wagner: Die Meistersinger. Preislied. With Sigismund Pilinszky and chorus.

Matrix no.: 2-20733. Issue no.: P. 9836; P. 9633; O-7852 (Odeon); E 10947 (English Parlophone); 25194 (American Decca); A 4230 (Australia).

Wagner: Die Meistersinger. So hold und traut, wie fern es schwebt (Preislied, part 2). With Sigismund Pilinszky.

Matrix no.: 2-20734. Issue no.: P. 9836; P. 9633; O-7852 (Odeon); E 10947 (English Parlophone); 25194 (American Decca); A 4230 (Australia).

 

May 11, 1928:

Verdi: Otello. Già nella notte densa (Act I duet). With Tino Pattiera.

Matrix no.: 2-20774. Issue no. P. 9835 (Juynboll says P. 9853, which I assume is a misprint); P. 9632; O-7570 (Odeon); E 10816 (English Parlophone); A 4111 (Australia).

Verdi: Otello. (Act I duet, part 2, beginning with “Ed io vedea fra le tue tempie oscure”).

Matrix no.: 2-20775-1,-2,-3. Issue no.: P. 9835; P. 9632; O-7570 (Odeon); E 10816 (English Parlophone); A 4111 (Australia).

Verdi: Aida. Pur ti riveggo, mia dolce Aida (Act III duet). With Tino Pattiera.

Matrix no.: 2-20776-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9863; P. 9654; O-7798 (Odeon); E 10905 (English Parlophone); 25298 (American Decca); A 4174 (Australia; take 2).

Verdi: Aida. (Act III duet, part 2, beginning with “Sovra una”).

Matrix no.: 2-20777-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9863; P. 9654; O-7798 (Odeon); E 10905 (English Parlophone); 25298 (American Decca); A 4174 (Australia; take 2).

 

June 22, 1928:

Puccini: Madama Butterfly. Ancora un passo or via (Butterfly’s entrance). With chorus.

Matrix no.: 2-20848. Issue no.: P. 9841; P. 9639; O-7572 (Odeon); E 10805 (English Parlophone); A 5020 (Australia).

Puccini: Tosca. Singet, singet vereint im vollen Chor (Cantata). With chorus.

Matrix no.: 2-20849. Issue no.: P. 9841; P. 9639; O-7571 (Odeon); E 10851 (English Parlophone); A 5033 (Australia).

Puccini: Tosca. Vissi d’arte.

Matrix no.: 2-20850. Issue no.: P. 9843; P. 9640; O-7571 (Odeon); E 10805 (English Parlophone); A 5033 (Australia).

Puccini: Madama Butterfly. Un bel di vedremo.

Matrix no.: 2-20851. Issue no.: P. 9876; P. 9655; O-7572 (Odeon); E 10805 (English Parlophone); A 5020 (Australia).

Giordano: Andrea Chenier. La mamma morta.

Matrix no.: 2-20852. Issue no.: P. 9843; P. 9640; O-7568 (Odeon).

 

June 25, 1928:

Wagner: Lohengrin. Zug zum Münster. With Sigismund Pilinszky, Helene Jung, Robert Burg, Fritz Düttbernd, chorus.

Matrix no.: 2-20855. Issue no.: P. 9837; P. 9634; O-7653 (Odeon); E 10933 (English Parlophone); 25056 (American Decca).

Wagner: Lohengrin. Zug zum Münster, part 2.

Matrix no.: 2-20856. Issue no.: P. 9837; P. 9634; O-7653 (Odeon); E 10933 (English Parlophone); 25056 (American Decca).

Wagner: Lohengrin. Durch Gottes Sieg (Act 1 finale). With Sigismund Pilinszky, Helene Jung, Robert Burg, Fritz Düttbernd, chorus.

Matrix no.: 2-20857. Issue no.: P. 9842; P. 9635; O-7654 (Odeon); E 10782 (English Parlophone); 25065 (American Decca).

 

Sept. 21, 1928:

Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier. Nicht dort, das ist das Vorzimmer. With Elisa Stünzner, Emanuel List.

Matrix no.: 2-20941-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9868; P. 9660; E 10864 (English Parlophone); 25237 (American Decca); 59031 (France).

Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier. Bin von so viel Finesse charmiert. With Elisa Stünzner; Emanuel List.

Matrix no.: 2-20942. Issue no.: P. 9868; P. 9660; E 10864 (English Parlophone); 25237 (American Decca); 50931 (France).

Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier. Mein Gott. With Grete Merrem-Nikisch, Elisa Stünzner.

Matrix no.: 2-20943. Issue no.: P. 9869; P. 9661; O-7866 (Odeon); E 10865 (English Parlophone); 25237 (American Decca); 59032 (France).

Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier. Hab’ mir’s gelobt. With Grete Merrem-Nikisch, Elisa Stünzner.

Matrix no.: 2-20944-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9869; P. 9661; O-7866 (Odeon); E 10865 (English Parlophone); 25238 (American Decca); 59032 (France).

 

Oct. 19, 1928:

Puccini: Manon Lescaut. Ich grüß dich, kleine Schwester. With Robert Burg.

Matrix no.: 2-21001-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9866; P. 9658; O-7794 (Odeon).

Puccini: Manon Lescaut. Ach in den kalten Räumen hier (In quelle trine morbide). With Robert Burg.

Matrix no.: 2-21002. Issue no.: P. 9866; P. 9658; O-7794 (Odeon).

Verdi: Aida. Himmel! Mein Vater! With Robert Burg.

Matrix no.: 2-21003. Issue no.: P. 9876; P. 9655.

Verdi: Aida. Wohlan denn, erhebt euch, ägyptische Scharen. With Robert Burg.

Matrix no.: 2-21004-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9876; P. 9655.

 

Jan. 14, 1929:

Gounod: Faust. Auf eilet! (Prison scene, part 2). With Jaro Dworsky, Emanuel List.

Matrix no.: 2-21175-1,-2. Issue no.: P. 9852; P. 9647; O-7644 (Odeon); E 10834 (English Parlophone); A 5028 (Australia).

Gounod: Faust. Ach er ist’s, er hat mich genannt (Prison scene, part 1).

Matrix no.: 2-21176. Issue no.: P. 9852; P. 9647; O-7644 (Odeon); E 10834 (English Parlophone); A 5028 (Australia).

Gounod: Faust. O Herr, so laße hier niederknien Margarethen (Church scene, part 1). With Emanuel List and chorus.

Matrix no.: 2-21177. Issue no.: P. 9850; P. 9646; O-7573 (Odeon); E 10835 (English Parlophone); A 5029 (Australia).

Gounod: Faust. (Church scene, part 2).

Matrix no.: 2-21178. Issue no.: P. 9850; P. 9646; O-7573 (Odeon; Juynboll says O-7373, which I assume is a misprint); E 10835 (English Parlophone); A 5029 (Australia).

Verdi: Ballo in Maschera. Hier ist der grauenvolle Ort (Ecco l’orrido campo).

Matrix no.: 2-21179. Issue no.: P. 9867; P. 9659; O-7649 (Odeon); E 11300 (English Parlophone).

Verdi: Ballo in Maschera. Wenn das Kraut, wie die Seherin kündet (Ma dal arido stelo di vulsa).

Matrix no.: 2-21180. Issue no.: P. 9867; P. 9659; O-7649 (Odeon); E 11300 (English Parlophone).

 

Feb. 15, 1929:

Puccini: Madama Butterfly. Das ist sicher ein Kriegsschiff (Flower duet). With Helene Jung.

Matrix no.: 2-21222. Issue no.: P. 9864; P. 9656; O-7647 (Odeon); E 10883 (English Parlophone); A 4161 (Australia).

Puccini: Madama Butterfly. Flower duet, part 2.

Matrix no.: 2-21223. Issue no.: P. 9864; P. 9656; O-7647 (Odeon); E 10883 (English Parlophone); A 4161 (Australia).

Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel. Abends will ich schlafen geh’n. With Helene Jung.

Matrix no.: 2-21224. Issue no.: P. 9415; O-7797 (Odeon); E 10870 (English Parlophone); A 4150 (Australia).

Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel. Jucchei, nun ist die Hexe tot. With Helene Jung.

Matrix no.: 2-21225. Issue no.: P. 9415; O-7797 (Odeon); E 10870 (English Parlophone); A 4150 (Australia).

 

Mar. 18, 1929:

Liszt: O lieb, so lang du lieben kannst.

Matrix no.: 2-21278. Issue no.: P. 9861; P. 9652; O-7645 (Odeon); O-7837 (Odeon); E 10901 (English Parlophone); A4188 (Australian Parlophone)

Weingartner: Liebesfeier.

Matrix no.: 2-21279. Issue no.: P. 9872; P. 9664; O-7651 (Odeon); O-7837 (Odeon).

Rubinstein: Es blinkt der Tau.

Matrix no.: 2-21280. Issue no.: P. 9872; P. 9664; O-7651 (Odeon); 25751 (American Decca).

Rubinstein: Die Nacht.

Matrix no.: 2-21281. Issue no.: P. 9861 (Juynboll says P. 9871, which I assume is a misprint); P. 9652; O-7645 (Odeon); E 10901 (English Parlophone); 25751 (American Decca); A4188 (Australian Parlophone)

 

Apr. 24, 1929:

Wagner: Die Walküre. Der Männer Sippe saß hier im Saal. With Curt Taucher.

Matrix no.: 2-21378. Issue no.: P. 9874; P. 9600; O-7565 (Odeon).

Wagner: Die Walküre. Dich selige Frau hält nun der Freund. With Curt Taucher.

Matrix no.: 2-21379. Issue no.: P. 9874; P. 9600; O-7565 (Odeon).

Wagner: Die Walküre. Fremdes nur sah ich von je. With Curt Taucher.

Matrix no.: 2-21380. Issue no.: P. 9875; P. 9666; O-7566 (Odeon).

Wagner: Die Walküre. Wie dir die Stirn so offen steht. With Curt Taucher.

Matrix no.: 2-21381. Issue no.: P. 9875; P. 9666; O-7566 (Odeon).