Lehmann, Lotte

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Lehmann, Lotte (b Perleberg, 1888; d Santa Barbara, Calif., 1976). Ger.-born soprano (Amer. cit. 1945). Début Hamburg 1909 as 3rd Boy in Die Zauberflöte. Vienna début 1914. Joined Vienna Opera 1916, remaining until 1938, singing leading roles in Wagner, Strauss, Mozart, Puccini, and Beethoven. First to sing successively all 3 sop. roles in Der Rosenkavalier (Sophie, Oktavian, and Marschallin), eventually becoming outstanding Marschallin of her time. Created the Composer in Ariadne auf Naxos (1916), Dyer's Wife in Die Frau ohne Schatten (1919), and Christine in Intermezzo (Dresden 1924). First Vienna Arabella (1933). London début 1914 as Sophie; CG début 1924 as Marschallin (her first assumption of this role) and sang there yearly until 1935 and again in 1938. Salzburg Fest. début 1926; Amer. début (Chicago) 1930; NY Met 1934–45. Settled in USA at Santa Barbara 1938, est. sch. of singing there. Sang last Marschallin at San Francisco 1946. Farewell recital, Santa Barbara, Aug. 1951. Pupils incl. Grace Bumbry and Jeannine Altmeyer. Gave master-classes in London 1957 and 1959. Directed prod. of Der Rosenkavalier at NY Met 1962. Wrote books, novel, and poems. Autobiography My Many Lives (NY 1948).

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