Description

GRETA SÖDERMAN (GOTHENBURG, NOVEMBER 13, 1891 – BRÄNNKYRKA, OCTOBER 9, 1969)

She first studied with her father and later in France and Italy, but most importantly with Adelaide von Skilondz in Stockholm. Her father, Carl August Söderman (1860–1916), was for many years a baritone and director at the Stockholm Opera, where he created several Wagner roles. Her mother was the soprano Erika Bergenson (1864–1904), and her sister was the operetta singer Ingalill Söderman (born 1902).

She made her first stage appearance in 1914 as Zerlina in Don Giovanni during a guest performance by the Stockholm Opera in Gothenburg. In 1915, she was engaged by the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, where she made her debut as Mimì in La Bohème and remained a member until 1930. There, in 1926, she sang Zerbinetta in the Swedish premiere of Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos. Between 1919 and 1922, she made guest appearances in the Czech Republic, Romania, and Italy.

In 1930, she left the Stockholm Opera due to disagreements with its director, John Forsell, and subsequently appeared frequently as a guest artist at the Stora Theater in Gothenburg. Her diverse repertoire included Mimì in La Bohème, Violetta in La Traviata, Amelia in Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera, the title role in Massenet’s Manon, and Adele in Die Fledermaus. She later worked as a teacher in Gothenburg while continuing to give concerts and make guest appearances.

In 1951, she participated in the Swedish premiere of Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring at the Stora Theater in Gothenburg. As early as 1924, she received the Order of Literature and Art from the King of Sweden.

Recordings: Odeon, HMV (including duets with Joseph Hislop), Pathé.

TRACKLIST

Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) From är mitt sinnelag (Io sono docile) V98 (7-83015) 1021-2Am Gramophone, Stockholm 1921-01-26

Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Känslans ljufva, milda röst (Una voce) V98 (7-83016) 1020Am Gramophone, Stockholm 1921-01-26

Forza del destino (Verdi) Friden, friden (Pace, pace) unpubl xxSto3360 Odeon, Berlin 1929-06-22

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): Ack Manon (Ah! Manon, mi tradisce) (w. Hislop) DA1083 (30-2212) BE2075-3

Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Du, du, min älskling (Tu, tu, amore) (w. Hislop) DB1394 (32-1094) CE2079-2 HMV, Stockholm 1929-12-12

Ack kärleken är mäktig (O, tentatrice!) (w. Hislop) DB1394 (32-1094) DB1394 (32-1095) HMV, Stockholm 1929-12-12

Statt upp min älskade ur ”Höga Visan” (Melartin) A55 P-5243ACU-2386A Discofil, 1952-04